Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has begun preparations for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, sharing a workout video on his Instagram Stories on Tuesday as he gears up for his first full season with the franchise.
The 26-year-old Slovenian guard is showing early commitment to physical conditioning following a tumultuous previous season that saw him unexpectedly traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers in February. This social media update comes as Doncic looks to build on his impressive partial season in Los Angeles, where he immediately made an impact despite the midseason transition. The workout video signals Doncic’s determination to address previous criticisms about his physical conditioning while positioning himself for a championship run alongside LeBron James in the upcoming season.
Dallas’s decision to trade Doncic remains one of the most shocking moves in recent NBA memory, especially considering the five-time All-Star had finished third in MVP voting and led the Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance last season. According to reporting by Sam Amick of The Athletic, concerns within the Mavericks organization about Doncic’s commitment to physical conditioning played a significant role in the trade decision. Some within the franchise reportedly viewed him as “lazy,” with his weight described as a “frequent frustration” for the team’s management, alongside concerns about his off-court habits including beer consumption and hookah smoking.
Immediate impact in Los Angeles
Despite the abrupt midseason change, Doncic quickly established himself as a cornerstone for the Lakers following the February trade. In his 28 games with Los Angeles, he posted impressive averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 3.6 three-pointers, and 1.6 steals per contest. His seamless integration into the Lakers’ system alongside LeBron James helped propel the team to a 50-32 record and the third seed in the highly competitive Western Conference.
The Doncic-James partnership showed immediate promise despite limited time to develop chemistry. Their complementary playing styles created matchup nightmares for opponents, with Doncic’s court vision and scoring ability pairing effectively with James’ leadership and all-around excellence. The Lakers’ front office had made a bold move in trading former cornerstone Anthony Davis along with a first-round draft pick to acquire Doncic, signaling their belief that the Slovenian star represented the franchise’s future.
However, the Lakers’ playoff run ended in disappointment with a first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving unfinished business for the newly formed superstar tandem. The early playoff exit underscored that despite their individual brilliance, Doncic and James would need more time and supporting pieces to transform the Lakers into legitimate championship contenders.
Doncic’s building toward championship contention
The workout video posted by Doncic suggests he’s taking offseason conditioning seriously, potentially addressing one of the primary criticisms that reportedly led to his departure from Dallas. For Lakers fans, this early commitment to preparation represents an encouraging sign about his mindset heading into his first full season with the team.
With a full training camp and regular season to build chemistry with James, Austin Reaves, and the rest of the Lakers roster, expectations will be significantly higher for Doncic and the team in 2025-26. The Lakers front office still faces important decisions about roster construction around their star duo, as the team’s early playoff exit highlighted the need for additional complementary pieces. If the front office can add a couple more solid contributors while Doncic arrives in optimal physical condition, the Lakers could emerge as the team to beat in the Western Conference.
The scrutiny on Doncic’s conditioning and lifestyle choices will likely continue, giving him additional motivation to silence critics who questioned his work ethic in Dallas. If his early offseason workout regimen indicates a renewed commitment to physical excellence, it could represent a turning point in his career and elevate his already impressive game to new heights. For Lakers fans, the Instagram Story offers a tantalizing glimpse of what could be a transformative season ahead for both Doncic and the historic franchise.
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