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After a season full of twists, trade drama, and playoff disappointment, Luka Doncic is already putting in the work to reset his career trajectory with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Less than a month into the offseason, the five-time All-Star is making headlines-not for his game, but for what appears to be a renewed focus on conditioning and self-discipline.
Doncic was recently spotted courtside at a Real Madrid basketball game, where he reconnected with club president Florentino Perez. The $3.8 billion Spanish businessman oversees both the soccer and basketball branches of the iconic club.
Doncic, who spent his early pro years with Real Madrid before ing the NBA, looked noticeably slimmer, fueling speculation among fans that he's finally addressing the long-standing concerns about his fitness.
Doncic's struggles with conditioning are no secret. It was reportedly one of the main reasons the Dallas Mavericks made the shocking decision to trade him to the Lakers ahead of the 2025 trade deadline.
He arrived in Los Angeles nursing a calf injury and didn't debut until nearly two months later. Although he showed flashes of brilliance, his overall performance remained inconsistent, especially late in games.
A new mindset for a new chapter
Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn't name names after the team's early playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his message was clear: several players need to get in "championship shape."
Many assumed that was a veiled reference to Doncic, who struggled in the second halves of the Lakers' five playoff games.
Now, it appears Doncic is taking that seriously. According to Jason Gallagher, producer of Redick's podcast "The Old Man and the Three," Doncic has already begun shifting his mindset and routines.
"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 in this mindset of changing a lot about himself."
That change in mindset could be a major turning point for Doncic. Despite a tough year that included a Finals loss with Dallas and a frustrating early exit with LA, he seems motivated to prove his doubters wrong.
Conditioning has long been the one knock on Doncic's game-his IQ, skills, and ing are elite-but if he can improve his physical fitness, he could take his game to another level.
The Lakers are also making organizational changes to their players' development. The team recently posted a listing for a new Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, signaling a broader effort to enhance player fitness heading into next season.
For Doncic, this offseason represents more than just rest-it's a reset. If his early efforts are any indication, he's not interested in repeating past mistakes. The Lakers are chasing a record 18th NBA title, and with a focused and fit Luka Doncic leading the charge, they may be closer than many think.