Doncic was traded mid-season to the Lakers but didn’t exactly wow fansLos Angeles Lakers guard lt;HIT gt;Luka lt;/HIT gt; lt;HIT gt;Doncic lt;/HIT gt; (77) reacts after a foul called on the Lakers during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)Abbie ParrAPAfter a season full of twists, trade drama, and playoff disappointment, Luka Doncic is already putting in the work to reset his career trajectory with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Less than a month into the offseason, the five-time All-Star is making headlines-not for his game, but for what appears to be a renewed focus on conditioning and self-discipline.Doncic was recently spotted courtside at a Real Madrid basketball game, where he reconnected with club president Florentino Perez. The $3.8 billion Spanish businessman oversees both the soccer and basketball branches of the iconic club.
Doncic, who spent his early pro years with Real Madrid before joining the NBA, looked noticeably slimmer, fueling speculation among fans that he’s finally addressing the long-standing concerns about his fitness.Doncic’s struggles with conditioning are no secret. It was reportedly one of the main reasons the Dallas Mavericks made the shocking decision to trade him to the Lakers ahead of the 2025 trade deadline.
He arrived in Los Angeles nursing a calf injury and didn’t debut until nearly two months later. Although he showed flashes of brilliance, his overall performance remained inconsistent, especially late in games.
