When the Dallas Mavericks surprisingly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, they made it clear in the aftermath that the superstar’s lack of work ethic and dedication to taking care of his body played a key part in the decision.
Despite being one of the best players in the league, Doncic has dealt with some nagging injuries and wasn’t in the best shape when returning from his calf strain last season.
It appears the trade provided Doncic with all the motivation he needed to change some of his habits, however. Luka has looked noticeably slimmer in all of the pictures and videos that have come out this offseason. Lakers head coach JJ Redick challenged his team to get into championship shape this offseason, and Doncic has answered the call.
In an interview with Andrew Heffernan of Men’s Health, it was revealed that Doncic began two-a-day workouts immediately after the Lakers’ season came to an end at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs:
Macek took charge of the workouts—except Sundays, Dončić hit two per day, with plenty of lifting, mobility, and court drills. But fueling the 6’7” point guard as he underwent this Rocky-style transformation may have been an even tougher job: a chemistry experiment where all the elements not only had to fulfill a specific function, but also taste great and make sense to Luka as he learned the ropes of performance nutrition. “He’s 26, and it’s a learning process,” says Barrio.
It helped that their client was motivated. Luka’s final game with the Lakers was April 30th; days later he was on the plane to his native Slovenia. “He arrived May fifth, and said, I want to start immediately,” recalls Barrio. And he did: right around the time you’d forgive a pro athlete for kicking back with pizza and a few beers, Luka went low-carb.
Considering the Lakers will be ushering their new era with Doncic as the face, they have to be pleased with the dedication he has shown this offseason when it comes to getting in shape.
If the Lakers are gonna win any championships in the near future then Doncic has to be the primary reason for it. If he was a top-five player while not taking care of his body to this level, then it could be scary for the rest of the league now that the new version of Luka has arrived.
Luka Doncic expected to sign contract extension with Lakers
According to recent reports, Luka Doncic is expected to sign a four-year contract extension with the Lakers when he is eligible on Aug. 2. The Lakers would have given the superstar a new deal regardless, but they have to feel even better about doing so now that he is committed to taking care of his body.
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