How Luka Doncic Transformed His Body This Offseason

The rumors swirled all summer: Was Luka Dončić really on Ozempic? Did Dallas trade him because of his lifestyle choices? The truth behind his shocking 20-pound transformation reveals something far more impressive than any quick fix.

When the Slovenian superstar stepped onto the Lakers’ practice court, teammates barely recognized the lean, chiseled athlete who’d graced the cover of Men’s Health magazinejust weeks earlier.

How Did Luka Dončić Transform His Body in Just One Summer?

Heading into the offseason, Dončić carried with him the criticism of looking out of shape. Soon after his trade to the Lakers, rumor mills churned that the Mavericks didn’t want anything to do with the mercurial guard’s love for beer and hookah. Per Men’s Health, the buzz on NBA social media was that the 26-year-old was on Ozempic.

However, his intense training regimen, supplemented by a structured nutritional approach saw him go through a never-before-seen metamorphosis this summer. The approach was methodical and demanding. Dončić committed to two workout sessions per day, combining his grueling training schedule with a strict gluten-free, low-sugar diet that includes at least 250 grams of protein and one almond milk-fueled shake daily.

Our digital cover star, Luka Doncic, ready to take his game (and the Lakers) to new levels of dominance. And this summer shred has been years in the making.https://t.co/aB19DY7rrL pic.twitter.com/bjVsf1ampI

— Men’s Health Mag (@MensHealthMag) July 28, 2025

The lean muscle came at the cost of not picking up a basketball for a month, but the results are apparent. The transformation went beyond just hitting the gym. Dončić embraced a disciplined intermittent fasting plan designed to reduce inflammation and enhance recovery, timing his first meal after his demanding 90-minute morning workout.

The weight room work emphasized conditioning, an aspect for which he copped immense criticism throughout his Dallas years. Now, he and the Lakers will hope that his rebuilt version can go the distance as he guns for his maiden NBA ring.

What Do Medical Experts Say About Dončić’s Physical Changes?

According to RG.com‘s Quinn Allen, Nicholas Jones, founder & medical director of Nip & Tuck Plastic Surgery, shared his analysis on the five-time NBA All-Star’s weight loss.

“Significant weight loss for a superstar NBA guard like Luka Dončić offers several physiological benefits. Every pound lost reduces joint loading by roughly four pounds per step, which can dramatically decrease the cumulative stress load on his knees and ankles over the long NBA season,” Jones said.

“This translates to better lateral quickness, improved stamina, and reduces the likelihood of overuse injuries that often plague players logging heavy minutes.”

The medical perspective adds weight to what Lakers fans hope will be a breakout season. With Dončić’s enhanced conditioning addressing years of criticism about his fitness, the stage is set for a dramatically different version of the Slovenian star.

On the season front, the Lakers will now field a fit-looking Dončić and an equally fitter LeBron James, who at 40 continues to defy Father Time.

Lakers vs. Mavericks Game Preview

Los Angeles is playing its best basketball of the season, going 8–2 over its last 10 contests and covering the spread in seven of those games. During that stretch, Lakers games have averaged just over 231 combined points, thanks to a top-15 offense that puts up 118.3 points per night while still holding opponents to 113.8 points.

They have already gone over the posted total in every home game this season and have been particularly dominant when crossing the 115‑point threshold, posting a 12–0 record both straight up and against the spread when they do.​

The engine of that surge is Dončić, who has turned the Lakers’ attack into one of the league’s most potent units. He averages 35.2 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game and is coming off a 43‑point, 13‑rebound, nine‑assist performance in a 135–118 dismantling of the Clippers, his sixth 40‑plus outing of the young season.

Around him, Austin Reaves has blossomed into a bona fide co‑star at 27.9 points per game, while Ayton, Hachimura, and a deep supporting cast supply efficient finishing, rebounding, and floor spacing that leave defenses picking their poison.​

Dallas is in a far different place, with two straight losses and a broader 3–7 slide over its last 10 games, even while going a respectable 5–5 against the spread over that span. The Mavericks average just 109.5 points per game, the second‑fewest in the league, a figure that falls more than eight points shy of Los Angeles’ output and sits 5.3 points below the Lakers’ defensive average. When Dallas does manage to push past 114.8 points, it appears more competitive, going 3–1 overall in those rare outbursts; however, consistent shot creation has been a glaring problem.​

The roster composition explains much of the strain. Flagg has been thrust into a primary scoring role, posting 15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on solid efficiency, a promising line that nonetheless underscores the considerable responsibility he carries at this stage.