“I Needed a Fresh Start After Everything That Happened:” Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Dončić Gets Honest on Why He Really Got Into Elite Shape This Offseason
NBA superstar Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers revealed why he really got into elite shape this offseason during an interview with Michael Kay and David Cone of YES Network.
Dončić, who has lost a lot of weight and built muscle this offseason, was at the New York Yankees-Tampa Bay Rays game for his Jordan Brand tour.
“I just think, you know, I needed a fresh start, you know, after everything that happened,” Dončić said. “I obviously had the little more time than last year. So I kind of left basketball for like one month, focusing on other things. So it was a really good, fresh and healthy start for me.”
Dončić was listed at 230 pounds last season with the Dallas Mavericks and Lakers. He looks thinner and stronger now.
Dončić transformed his body this offseason by going on a gluten-free, low-sugar diet, per Men’s Health. The five-time All-Star has also gone on an intermittent fasting plan designed to limit inflammation and help his body recover better.
Dončić fasts from 8:30 PM to 12 noon the following day. He does this every day except Sunday.
The Lakers must be thrilled to see Dončić in elite shape. Dončić, 26, is expected to sign an extension with Los Angeles this weekend. The future Hall of Famer can sign a four-year, $229 million extension or agree to a two-year extension with the Lakers to get him to 10 years of service once the offseason of 2028 rolls around.
Dončić can then sign a five-year max deal at 35% of the salary cap to maximize his earnings.
One of the top players in the NBA, Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists with Los Angeles last season and 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the 2025 playoffs, where the Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round in five games.
The Lakers are expected to start Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton next season, multiple sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com.
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