Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić turned heads earlier this week when his slimmed down, muscular image graced the cover of Men’s Health. The Slovenian has been criticized in the past for his conditioning — and some say a factor in why he was dealt in one of the biggest trades in league history last season.
Dončić, appearing Wednesday on “TODAY,” said his team of trainers “tried some new things” this offseason to improve his physique and quiet the critics.
“Different food, different practices,” he said. “I actually gave up playing basketball for one month, which I’ve never done in my life. So it was kind of challenging, but it was all good.”
Dončić, 26, is unquestionably one of the top players in the NBA. He is a five-time All-Star, earned rookie of the year honors in 2019 and in 2024 led the league in scoring with 33.9 points per game.
But when he was dealt last February in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history — a blockbuster that sent, among others, Lakers big man Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks — Dončić’s body became a topic of conversation. According to ESPN, “the Mavs had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Dončić due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer.”
Dončić on Wednesday said he heard the criticism but did his best to ignore it.
“Honestly, I tried to not read much. Just tried to focus,” he said on “TODAY.” “I think I was still a pretty good basketball player back then, no matter what people say.”
Dončić went on to average 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists a game with Los Angeles after the deal, but knew more needed to be done after the team was eliminated in the first round of the postseason by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He transitioned to a gluten-free, low-sugar diet and two-a-day workouts, completely transforming his body ahead of next season.
Before opening night, a major decision looms: does he sign an extension with the Lakers to remain in L.A. for the foreseeable future? On August 2, Dončić is eligible to sign a new four-year deal worth $223 million.
When asked about his intention on “TODAY,” he brushed it off.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he laughed.
