Doncic and the Lakers: last chance?
Luka Doncic is said to be working hard on his conditioning ahead of the upcoming NBA season - one in which his reputation and, likely, his career are at stake.
Talking about Luka Doncic has become a daily ritual in NBA circles. The Slovenian star was making headlines even before he set foot in the league, racking up accolades and MVPs with Real Madrid. And now, even with the NBA season in the rearview mirror, Doncic remains a hot topic.
Images of the point guard training - sporting a noticeably leaner, more sculpted physique - have been circulating widely. But we’ve seen this movie before: offseason gains that don’t always translate into in-season consistency.
The big question now is whether this time will be different. Could this finally be the season Doncic maintains peak conditioning long enough to carry his team deep into the playoffs? That’s key to the title hopes entertained by the Lakers, a franchise that hasn’ lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy since 2020 and is still led by the ageless LeBron James.
“Incredibly committed to his conditioning”
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Doncic is taking things seriously this time around. He “has been incredibly committed to his conditioning this offseason,” Woike reports. “He’s dropped significant weight and is working on strict diet and cardio training, according to a source with knowledge of the plan. In a shift from his normal offseason, he spent a month away from on-court work to focus more on his body. Doncic has looked visibly slimmer in photos and is now back working out with Slovenia readying for EuroBasket competition later this summer.”
Can Doncic turn stats into championships?
Doncic’s numbers last season were impressive - 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28 games with the Lakers following a blockbuster trade. In the playoffs, he averaged over 30 points per game.
But the flaws were hard to ignore: sub-35% shooting from three, visible fatigue, defensive mismatches, and a lack of physical sharpness that Minnesota exploited en route to a 4-1 series win. His struggles distributing the ball and defending against Chris Finch’s well-orchestrated offense exposed long-standing weaknesses - ones he still hasn’t fully addressed as he approaches his 27th birthday.
That’s why the 2025-26 season is so critical. It’s time for Doncic to prove he’s more than just a highlight machine or a stat-sheet stuffer. He needs to show he’s a true generational talent - one who’s willing to put in the work to fix his flaws and elevate his team.
Triple-doubles and scoring explosions are great, but they need to lead to wins. While Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have all captured MVPs and championship rings (three in Jokic’s case), Doncic still feels a step behind his peers.
We’ve heard the “in-shape Luka” story before. The real test begins after EuroBasket, when the NBA grind resumes. If he can’t deliver then, critics - like Mavericks GM Nico Harrison - may feel vindicated in their doubts.
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