Luka Doncic Eyes Lakers Legacy; Shares Secret Behind Off-Season Makeover
Luka Doncic has signed a three-year contract extension worth $165 million with the Lakers. Acquired from the Mavericks, he registered an average of 28.2 points and underwent a notable physical transformation during the off-season.
Luka Doncic is not just aiming to win matches with the Lakers—he’s aiming for his jersey to be hung in the rafters.
On Saturday, the 26-year-old Slovenian basketball star said he felt privileged to carry the expectations of winning a championship after formally signing a three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Doncic, who was brought in through a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Mavericks in February, mentioned that he was ready to take on the challenge of adding to the trophy cabinet of one of the NBA’s most celebrated teams.
“It’s a privilege to represent this franchise,” Doncic stated during a press briefing held at the Lakers’ training complex in El Segundo.
“Numerous legendary players have been part of this team, and obviously, I wish to join them up there. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
Doncic became part of the Lakers midway through the season in a sensational trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. He made an immediate impact, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals across 28 regular-season matches. His entry elevated the Lakers to the third position in the Western Conference, although they exited the playoffs early in the first round.
Thanks to his exciting playing style, exceptional court awareness, and ability to deliver under pressure, Doncic quickly emerged as the central figure in the Lakers’ plans beyond the LeBron James era.
Off-Season Makeover: A Brand-New Luka
Despite being consistently praised for his game intelligence and technical prowess, Doncic has often been questioned for his fitness levels. However, this off-season, he made headlines for a remarkable physical transformation.
A recent Men’s Health article showcased Doncic’s improved physique, highlighting enhanced muscle tone and general fitness. The feature mentioned that Doncic intentionally stayed away from basketball for an entire month at the start of the off-season, concentrating instead on strength training, flexibility exercises, and physical recovery.
“For the first one month, I didn’t touch a basketball,” Doncic shared.
“Our focus was more on other aspects—weight training, core balance… and after one month, we got back to playing basketball.”
His fresh dedication to conditioning is being viewed as a key move to silence his critics and maintain peak performance over the grind of a full NBA season.
The Lakers’ recent squad moves signal their confidence in Doncic as a long-term pillar. LeBron James chose to remain with the team by opting into the final year of his contract. At the same time, the Lakers bolstered their lineup with the addition of centre Deandre Ayton, defensive expert Marcus Smart, and multi-skilled forward Jake LaRavia.
As LeBron James approaches the final phase of his iconic career, Luka Doncic stands as both the future and the present hope of the Lakers’ championship ambitions.
