A few months have passed since the Dallas Mavericks shocked the basketball world with their decision to trade Luka Doncic. Shipped overnight to the Los Angeles Lakers, the 26-year-old gradually seemed to be adapting to his new setting, sharing the court with LeBron James.
However, several unanswered questions remain about GM Nico Harrison and the Mavericks front office taking such a bold step. A generational talent, “Luka Magic,” formed a strong bond with the people of Dallas over the years and became a household name.
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While we may never know what truly transpired behind the scenes, there have been some similar narratives and theories. Among the widely discussed reasons are Doncic’s poor conditioning and inability to play defense. These sentiments were evident during the recent first-round matchup between the Lakers and Timberwolves.
As outlined in this report, “In the first phase of the long period between the seasons, Doncic, now without basketball, dedicated himself to transforming his body in Ljubljana, which includes both guided indoor conditioning and a modified diet. The first physical results are already very clearly visible, and the measurement results are also encouraging, but the time for real answers will come under the basket.”
Facing a first-round exit in his coaching debut for the Lakers, JJ Redick’s remark on the roster needing to get into championship shape created a stir among media circles and fans. Despite not mentioning any names, many felt the 40-year-old alluded to Doncic’s fitness levels.
Doncic’s recent visit to Real Madrid
Before making his NBA debut, Doncic played a couple of seasons in the Liga ACB, representing Real Madrid. It wasn’t long before the two-time ACB best young player began gaining prominence. Winning three championships, he was also the ACB Finals MVP in 2018.
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Recently, while visiting the Spanish capital, Doncic met with Real Madrid President Florentino Perez. During his time in Madrid, the Lakers star discussed his plan for the 2025-26 season.
“We have a long summer ahead of us, during which we need to focus on progress, both on an individual and team level,” said the five-time All-Star.
In what could serve as a great indication for GM Pelinka and the Lakers’ management, Doncic talked about staying motivated and getting better during the off-season. This is a step in the right direction for the former Mavs superstar, who has the ceiling to be an all-time great.
Low profile during the off-season
Doncic is set to lay low during the summer, solely focusing on his conditioning levels. As stated in the above report:
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“No public appearance is expected for several weeks. You will also search in vain for clues about sports activities on social networks, and even those close to him have fallen silent at his initiative. But the fact is that he has already started working. It is as if, away from the cameras and attention, he is preparing a sharp response – both to the unfortunate past season, which was marked by a wide range of health problems and an unplanned move from Dallas, and to all the criticism. There was not a few of these, also due to his faltering fitness and allegedly unsportsmanlike life.”
From what we’ve learned so far, one can expect to see “Luka Magic” 2.0, which could potentially have the 26-year-old in the best shape of his life.