Luka Doncic is entering the 2025-26 NBA season in the best shape of his life, and now we know just how far he’s come. According to a new claim from Slovenian POP TV, the Lakers superstar has lost 31 pounds since last summer, signaling a dramatic commitment to conditioning ahead of his first full year in Los Angeles. In the latest video of Doncic on the Slovenian national team, he sparked many reactions after fans noticed his new frame.
Here’s the segment from Slovenian POP TV where the statement was made pic.twitter.com/1ZAHuaQHhy
— SLO HOOPS FAN 🇸🇮 (@SloHoopsFan) August 7, 2025
Last season, Doncic was listed at 230 pounds — and reports have suggested he once peaked near 260, well above the 205 average weight for a 6’6″ male. While Luka was still good enough to average 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, there’s reason to believe he wasn’t playing at his maximum potential due to his poorly conditioned body.
Doncic’s weight has long been a topic of conversation throughout his NBA career, with critics often pointing to his stamina and defensive limitations as areas holding him back from true greatness. Instead of staying in peak condition throughout the summer, Doncic would play himself into shape during the season, leading to performances that were less than ideal.
It got bad enough that the Mavericks turned on Luka and sent him to Los Angeles in a shocking deal that involved Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick. For Dallas, the reasoning was simple: Luka failed to live up to standards as a franchise player. His poor work ethic bled into their performance on the court (especially in the 2024 Finals), and his inability to stay in shape set a poor example in the locker room.
On the Lakers, Doncic has committed to proving the Mavericks wrong, but it’s still a work in progress. After a frustrating first-round exit last season and a wave of backlash from his former team, the 5x All-NBA guard appears more motivated than ever to prove his doubters wrong.
Lakers Coach Impressed By Luka’s Transformation
We have yet to see how Luka’s new and improved form will translate on the court next season, but the Lakers are confident that it will get them the desired results. According to lead assistant coach Nate McMillan, Doncic has already made a strong impression in the locker room.
“I think he’s probably the best one-on-one player in the game. He can get off his shot against anybody,” coach McMillan said on ‘Sports Shop.’ “Whether you’re trying to pressure him or you put a small guy to disrupt him, he just puts his back on you and shoots over the top.”
McMillan agreed that Luka looks like a whole different beast right now after a summer of extensive training, working, and dieting to control his weight.
“He looks fantastic, and I think with everything that has happened, it’s a challenge for him,” McMillan added. “You played a certain way for a number of years, and you were successful doing it, but if you want to continue to improve and be one of the great players in this game, you have to continue to improve your game and work on your body.”
There’s no denying Luka’s place as one of the best players in the world right now. Now that the Slovenian star is getting serious about his body, we can expect to see great things in the months and years to come.
At 200 pounds or less, Doncic hasn’t been this slim on the court in a long time, and it’ll set him up for a career year in the NBA. With LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves, the Lakers are prepared to maximize his greatness and make the most of Doncic’s new and improved body. It’s up to him now to keep himself in shape and ensure he doesn’t slip back into old habits.
