Luka Doncic has been through a lot over the past few years. Since his shocking trade to the Lakers (which he never saw coming), he’s had to deal with two ownership changes, the departure of LeBron James, and an ongoing custody battle with his ex-fiancee/baby mama.
Through it all, he’s reportedly been hard at work in the gym to improve his conditioning and keep his basketball skills in tip-top shape. Part of the process has involved participation in other sports, notably golf, which has become increasingly popular in the community. While it may not be a conventional training method, the Lakers will support anything that keeps players active during the summer, especially for Luka.
“Luka entered the summer on an adapted training program,” wrote SportsKlub Slovenija. “After a seaside vacation and taking part in other sports, particularly golf, the program already included full-intensity workouts. In recent weeks, with the help of his longtime personal trainer, Anze Macek, he has skillfully combined physical conditioning sessions with basketball training. These days, he has only briefly caught his breath before hosting a large part of the LA Lakers roster in Ljubljana.”
In the past, conditioning and work ethic have been heavy concerns for Doncic. On the Mavericks, he was constantly scrutinized for being out of shape, and many believe it’s what ultimately led to his trade out of Dallas. Since joining the Lakers, however, Luka has made an active effort to change that narrative, and the results have been impressive so far.
In 2025-26, Luka’s first full season with the Lakers, he led them to the fourth seed in the West with averages of 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 47.6% shooting from the field. He single-handedly carried the offense, scoring at will and setting up his teammates through easy assists. While injuries cut his season short, the Lakers still managed to make the Semifinals. Now, in light of all the new additions this summer, he’s taking extra measures to ensure success by keeping himself busy every chance he gets.
After finishing rehab from his injury during the season, Doncic began intense workouts right away, preventing any slippage from the season prior. More importantly, he’s also been in the gym to strengthen his body and ensure he stays fit for the start of training camp next month. All that is before his exclusive mini-camp in Slovenia, which will feature most of his Lakers teammates. Needless to say, it’s a great display of leadership and a positive sign of the standard of work ethic in the locker room.
In the end, if there was any question as to Luka’s commitment to winning before, there’s no doubt about it now. After his entire basketball world changed overnight, Doncic is determined to make things right and change the narrative that has followed him throughout his career. Amid so many changes and unfamiliar faces, the path ahead won’t be easy (especially without LeBron), but Doncic has all the tools and resources he needs to lead the Lakers to prosperity next season.
