Luka Doncic looking locked in ahead of make-or-break Lakers season

The Laker's commitment to his physique would suggest a strong commitment to his team ahead of a crucial campaign. The 2026-27 season will be the first of the post-LeBron James era in Los Angeles, and while Doncic was arguably still the primary option even with James on the roster, losing the King creates a vacuum that any team would need to fill. Doncic immediately looks willing and able to fill that void.

Raising banners or chasing paydays?

Importantly, this transformation comes ahead of a season that was going to be important for the Lakers collectively, but not necessarily for Doncic specifically. 

According to Spotrac, the Slovenian's contract is guaranteed through 2027-28, with a player option for the following season, meaning that Doncic is not playing for a new deal quite yet. However, the steps that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office took to mortgage the future for Walker Kessler this offseason suggest that Los Angeles is committed to a title window right now, one which they can only hope Doncic also believes in.

Taking the time to shed the pounds over the summer – let alone host your teammates for an overseas training camp – would seem to indicate that Doncic is indeed all-in on competing in a top-heavy Western Conference this year, and perhaps as a member of this core for years to come.

The six-time All-NBA First Team selection will certainly be hoping to start adding rings to his trophy case sooner rather than later. The steps he's taken so far this offseason would suggest that he still sees Crypto.com Arena as the best place to do it.