After an up-and-down debut season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Dončić is back—and he’s not playing around. The 26-year-old superstar is entering the 2025–26 season with a revamped mindset, a trimmed-down physique, and a renewed commitment to greatness that has teammates, rivals, and executives watching closely.
In a recent feature with Men’s Health, Luka showcased a noticeably leaner build and opened up about a complete lifestyle overhaul. The Slovenian star cut out gluten and sugar from his diet, doubled down on cardio, and tailored his offseason training with the singular goal of becoming “the best version” of himself—on and off the floor.
“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” Luka told Men’s Health, smiling as he pointed out how much stronger and faster he feels. But it’s not just aesthetics—Dončić is modeling his training after Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, both known for their relentless work ethic and championship mentalities.
This version of Luka is leaner. Sharper. Hungrier.
Despite battling injuries and missing games, Dončić still delivered superstar numbers last season: 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game over 50 appearances. But the Lakers missed the playoffs, and for a player of Luka’s caliber, that wasn’t good enough.
Now, he’s making sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
The Lakers, clearly impressed with Luka’s dedication, are reportedly prepared to offer him a four-year, $229 million extension—the moment he becomes eligible on August 2. It would solidify Dončić as the long-term face of the franchise, a mantle he’s slowly starting to embrace.
Sources inside the Lakers front office say there’s no hesitation: “This is his team now.”
To support their cornerstone, the Lakers have surrounded Dončić with key offseason acquisitions, including Marcus Smart, DeAndre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia. Smart credited a personal phone call from Luka as the reason he signed.
“If someone like Luka calls you up, you listen,” Smart said. “He’s locked in. That’s the kind of guy you want to build with.”
Luka’s offseason focus extends beyond training and diet. It’s about legacy.
By modeling his discipline after Kobe and MJ—his idols—Dončić is committing to more than MVP numbers. He’s committing to championships. To leadership. To greatness.
And in LA, that means everything.
Luka Dončić has never looked better—and he’s never been more serious. From body transformation to leadership growth, the Lakers’ franchise player is entering his prime with purpose. With a $229 million extension looming and a loaded roster around him, Dončić is ready to rewrite the story of his career—and maybe the future of the NBA.