Aug 2, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic (77) is interviewed Spectrum SportsNet following a press conference announcing the signing of his contract extension at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Lakers’ Luka Doncic Has Made More Changes Than Just His Weight, Says Slovenian Teammates

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Gabe Smallson | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 1:30 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has undergone an apparent change in his body this offseason and has shown tons of physical growth.

As his home country of Slovenia competes in EuroBasket 2025, a teammate of Doncic spoke on how the changes didn't just stop at new muscle definition.

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Team Slovenia teammate Klemen Prepelic spoke on Doncic's leadership and the changes he has seen.

“Already at the first training session, I noticed that he talks significantly more than in previous years,” Prepelić said. “I believe this is a challenge that awaits him at the club as he takes on the role of the first face of the franchise. His word carries a lot of weight just because of his exceptional basketball knowledge and incredible feeling. At the same time, he does it with great enthusiasm and a desire to make every individual in training better.”

With the Lakers making it clear this offseason that Doncic will be their foundation moving forward, the 26-year-old seems to be assuming the responsibilities that come with it.

Donning the purple and gold is more than just playing in a larger market and having your face on billboards around the city, and Prepelic seems to assert that Doncic is putting that into practice in EuroBasket play.

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Doncic had no problems scoring last year, dropping 28.2 points per game across 50 contests as a member of the Dallas Mavericks and Lakers, but his physical shape and the potential impact it had on his perimeter defense were constantly called into question.

Perhaps the doubters will quiet down after seeing Doncic's new physical form, but the next step to being the face of a franchise is the leadership aspect. Being teammates with all-time leading scorer LeBron James can be an incredible learning opportunity as Doncic appears to be just starting this next chapter of his career with the Lakers, and James is perhaps preparing for his final one.

As the superstar duo prepares to play their first full season together, there are new reinforcements brought in like the defensive-minded Marcus Smart, big man Deandre Ayton, and perimeter shooter Jake LaRavia to make a much deeper playoff run than the last two seasons.