Sources in Luka Dončić’s Inner Circle Believe He Would Have Transformed Body Even if Dallas Mavericks Didn’t Trade Him to Los Angeles Lakers

NBA superstar Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers has transformed his body this offseason and sources in his camp believe he would have done this even if the Dallas Mavericks didn’t trade him last season, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic.

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison traded Dončić to the Lakers because he felt the five-time All-Star didn’t take his diet, weight and conditioning seriously.

“Some sources in Luka Dončić’s inner circle believed he was on the path toward this kind of physical transformation whether or not Dallas general manager Nico Harrison had bet against him,” Woike wrote. “Dončić and his management team began working with Maček and Barrio in 2023. One year later, he helped carry the Mavericks to the NBA Finals and immediately followed that by playing for his national team in Slovenia’s failed bid to make the Paris Olympics.

“The belief among Dončić’s team was, to some degree, that as he matured as an NBA professional, he’d adopt some better habits and completely buy into a stricter strength and conditioning program instead of the more competition-driven approach he’d been comfortable with.”

Dončić was listed at 230 pounds last season with the Mavericks and Lakers. He has gotten thinner and stronger this offseason.

One of the best players in the NBA, Dončić transformed his body this offseason by going on a gluten-free, low-sugar diet, per Men’s Health. The 26-year-old point-forward 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 on Sunday.

The Lakers must be delighted to see Dončić in elite shape. The Ljubljana native is expected to sign an extension with Los Angeles this weekend.

Dončić 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. The future Hall of Famer can then sign a five-year max deal at 35% of the salary cap to maximize his earnings.

One of the greatest players in NBA history, 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.

Dončić enters next season with career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists He’s third in NBA history in points per game.