The physical transformation of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić was one of the NBA’s biggest stories this past summer, as he altered his diet and fitness regimen to become leaner and stronger. Now, his former head coach is taking notice and praising the work he put in during the offseason.
Why Is Jason Kidd Praising His Former Star?
When asked by the media about Dončić’s improved fitness, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd offered his support. “I think it’s great, what Luka’s done this summer, what he’s done with his body, his game has gotten better,” Kidd said. “We respect what Luka has done this summer. We wish him the best of luck. He’s on the other side. He’s gonna try to kick our butt, but we’re gonna try to kick his butt.”
This positive relationship isn’t new. Kidd coached Dončić for nearly four years, including a Western Conference championship in 2024. Throughout their time together, Kidd consistently praised Dončić while holding him accountable in key areas like defense, turnovers, fitness, and his frequent complaints to referees.
Ultimately, there was a real belief around the league that Kidd and Dončić would eventually lead the Mavericks to a championship. However, the Mavs stunned the entire sports world this past February by trading Dončić to the Lakers for a package centered around All-NBA big man Anthony Davis. Following the trade, reports emerged that Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison and the team’s ownership hesitated to sign Dončić to one of the largest contracts in the NBA’s history because of his conditioning habits.
While part of Dončić’s greatness is his unique ability to play at his own pace as a big point guard, there were internal concerns during his final year with the Mavericks that he weighed close to 280 pounds. His weight has often been linked to his injury history, which includes multiple calf and ankle issues, as well as knee, groin, quad, and hamstring injuries.
To address these issues, Dončić specifically targeted building lower-body strength with his trainers over the summer to avoid another injury this season. With his time in Dallas firmly in the past, he looks forward to leading the Lakers to their next championship.
This new chapter began when Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers this summer. He played sparingly for the team in the preseason, as head coach JJ Redick opted to rest him following his performance at EuroBasket. During that tournament, Dončić led Slovenia to the quarterfinals and was the event’s leading scorer, averaging 34.7 points per game.
In his most recent preseason appearance, Dončić recorded 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the Lakers’ 113-104 loss to the Phoenix Suns this past Tuesday.