Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic looks like a new person after completely transforming his body this offseason.
After the Lakers were eliminated in the first round, Doncic immediately began two-a-day workouts to get into the championship shape that head coach JJ Redick is looking for.
Even though Doncic was already one of the five best players in the world, he has struggled to stay healthy and in shape in recent years, which has put a cap on his potential.
Early in Doncic’s career, he was slimmer and as a result was much more explosive going to the basket. When combined with his stepback jumper and exceptional vision, that made Luka nearly impossible to guard.
It looks like he is trying to get back to that as in an interview with Andrew Heffernan and Ebenezer Samuel of Men’s Health, Doncic stated that he feels he can jump even higher now than when he was a rookie:
After a full offseason with Team Luka, his vertical leap has likely improved too. “This year, we didn’t measure the jumping yet,” he says. “But I think it’s a little bit higher.”
If Doncic can return to getting to the basket at a high rate then that will make the Lakers’ offense even tougher for opposing defenses. Not only will they have to deal with the threat of Doncic as a driver and shooter, but they will also have to worry about the other shooting threats he can pass to on the floor like LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, plus a legit offensive interior presence with Deandre Ayton.
It may have taken him being traded to get to this point, but regardless, it is nice to see Doncic taking his workouts seriously this offseason in order to stay healthy and have the best season of his career for the Lakers in 2025-26.
Luka Doncic knows work to transform body is just beginning
While the work Lakers star Luka Doncic is putting in to transform his body is great, it means nothing if he doesn’t keep it up. And Doncic knows that is necessary.
“Obviously, be the best that I can be, take care of myself,” he says. “This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can’t stop.”
All the greats have a similar revelation at some stage of their respecting careers, and this appears to be the turning point for Doncic.
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