Report: Luka Doncic’s Camp Feels Lakers Star Is In Store For ‘Big Offseason’ After Humiliation He Felt In Talks About Work Ethic, Conditioning

According to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, there are people in Luka Doncic‘s camp who feel the Los Angeles Lakers star is in store for a big offseason because of the humiliation he felt in the discussions about his work ethic and conditioning after he was traded from the Dallas Mavericks. 

Photos of Doncic looking skinnier emerged this week while the star watched a Real Madrid game. 

“Without trying to gauge whether Doncic is in awesome shape or in a flattering T-shirt, I will say this: There were people in his camp who felt as though he was in store for a big offseason because of the humiliation he felt in the discussions about his work ethic and conditioning after he was traded from Dallas,” Woike wrote. “With EuroBasket getting underway in late August, the Lakers should expect a fully engaged Doncic whenever he gets back to Los Angeles.”

Los Angeles can sign Doncic to a four-year, $229 million contract in August. Doncic will make $46 million next season. He has a player option worth $48.9 million for the 2026-27 season and it appears he’s taking his body seriously this summer. 

On a recent appearance on “The Dumb Zone,” Jason Gallagher, who is the producer of “Mind the Game” with LeBron James and Steve Nash, said that Doncic is “in this mindset of changing a lot about himself.”

“I’ve heard from folks that are pretty honest about the conditioning stuff or whatever that Luka has already like begun to clean slate, like starting anew,” Gallagher said. “He’s already like in this mindset of changing a lot about himself. Now, I’ve heard it before, but not from specific people that have been critical of him.”

Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists with the Lakers in the regular season after the Mavericks traded him in February. The future Hall of Famer then put up 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in the Minnesota Timberwolves series.

All signs point toward Doncic signing an extension with the Lakers this offseason. Rob Pelinka told local reporters during his exit interview that he’s looking forward to building around Doncic for the foreseeable future. 

“It’s incredibly exciting to have the promise of him in our next decade of Laker basketball with being able to build a team around him and him being at the center of our franchise,” Pelinka said. “Our partnership with him has been incredible. We’re appreciative and grateful and can’t wait to get to the work, really starting today, of getting ready for next year.”