Luka Doncic’s offseason transformation apparently didn’t cease with the work he started greater than a 12 months in the past.
The Los Angeles Lakers provided their clearest look but at Doncic through the crew’s Slovenia minicamp Sunday, posting a video that confirmed their franchise star with longer hair, a noticeably slimmer physique and a white headband just like the one worn by Austin Reaves.
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The look drew speedy consideration. The setting carried higher significance.
Doncic introduced practically all the Lakers roster to his residence nation for a four-day gathering centered on exercises and crew bonding. In the primary summer season after LeBron James left for the Philadelphia 76ers, the journey represented an early demonstration of Doncic’s rising management over the franchise.
Doncic Continues Men’s Health Transformation
The leaner body isn’t the product of a fast summer season makeover.
Doncic revealed the small print of his conditioning overhaul in a July 2025 Men’s Health cover story. The transformation started instantly after the Lakers’ first-round playoff elimination that spring, when Doncic instructed his efficiency crew to start out coaching with out the customary offseason break.
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He initially spent a full month away from basketball, concentrating on restoration, energy and conditioning. His program later expanded to 2 90-minute exercises per day, incorporating weightlifting, resistance-band workouts, hurdles, sprints, agility work and capturing drills.
Doncic additionally adopted a gluten-free, low-sugar weight loss plan containing at least 250 grams of protein per day. His intermittent-fasting schedule typically stored him from consuming between 8:30 p.m. and midday, together with his first exercise occurring close to the tip of that window.
“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” Doncic advised Men’s Health final 12 months.
Sunday’s video advised these adjustments have turn into sustainable habits moderately than a brief response to criticism about his conditioning.
Doncic Hosts New-Look Lakers
The bodily overhaul carried right into a stellar first full season in Los Angeles.
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Doncic averaged an NBA-leading 33.5 factors and performed his approach into the MVP dialog whereas directing one of many Western Conference’s strongest groups. His season ended abruptly in April, nevertheless, when he suffered a Grade 2 pressure of his left hamstring.
The harm prevented Doncic from taking part within the playoffs, and the Lakers had been ultimately eradicated by the Oklahoma City Thunder within the Western Conference semifinals. Doncic has since stated he’s totally wholesome.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that his Slovenia minicamp runs from Aug. 20-24 in Ljubljana. Doncic chartered a flight and coated transportation and lodging for his teammates, based on NBA insider Marc Stein.
The itinerary has included basketball exercises, golf, fishing, group dinners and visits to Ljubljana and Lake Bled.
Sixteen Lakers accepted the invitation. The solely absence was first-round decide Cameron Carr, who was required to attend the NBA’s rookie orientation program.
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The gathering offers newcomers equivalent to Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Matisse Thybulle an early alternative to study Doncic’s recreation.
His prolonged keep in Slovenia additionally carries private significance. Doncic skipped national-team competitors this summer season whereas navigating legal proceedings involving his two daughters with former fiancée Anamaria Goltes, who lives in Slovenia with Gabriela and Olivia.
Goltes recently sought to withdraw her California petition for baby assist and legal professional charges, though the submitting was made with out prejudice. Doncic has spent a lot of the offseason in Slovenia to stay near his daughters.
The longer hair and Reaves-style headband could also be beauty. The slimmer physique is proof of a metamorphosis getting into its second 12 months.
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The minicamp is one thing extra: Doncic embracing the accountability of main the post-LeBron Lakers.
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