Lakers’ Luka Dončić Reveals New Physique, Talks Diet

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić is transforming his body this summer, but what’s his method?

Dončić recently shared insights with “Men’s Health” magazine about his new offseason routine, detailing a rigorous diet and workout plan.

“This summer was a little bit different, you know?” Dončić told “Men’s Health.” “It motivated me to be even better. It was a now or never.”

The “it” factor Dončić referred to as his motivation can be interpreted as a reference to his controversial departure from the Dallas Mavericks. On February 2, Dallas shocked the sports world by trading Dončić to the Lakers in a move that was later revealed to be related to Dallas’ frustration with Dončić’s conditioning.

Rumors suggest that the Mavericks front office — in particular, general manager Nico Harrison — did not view a player of Dončić’s physique, injury history, and lackluster conditioning habits as a long-term asset worth investing supermax money into.

His career stats suggest otherwise. The five-time NBA All-Star will enter the 2025-26 NBA season with career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.

Even so, Dončić’s current conditioning regimen shows that something changed within him following the trade. Perhaps he’s looking to prove Dallas wrong. Perhaps he’s looking to reward the Lakers for their faith in him, a faith that is also expected to result in a four-year, $229 million extension at the start of August.

Despite the imminent payday, Dončić is working on his body with a sense of urgency. He’s adopted a gluten-free, low-sugar diet, packing at least 250 grams of protein daily and incorporating an almond milk–based shake.

Dončić looks markedly thinner. “

“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” he said, adding the improvements he’s making won’t last if he doesn’t stay disciplined. “If I stop now, it was all for nothing.”

How is the NBA world reacting to Dončić’s new bod? It depends on who you ask. Lakers fans are thrilled, of course. Opponents who have struggled to contain Luka in the past are probably a tad fearful that he’ll be even more dominant. Mavericks fans are rolling their eyes, wondering why Dončić wasn’t motivated to get shredded before.