Latest news with #Dončić
NBC News
4 minutes ago
- Health
- NBC News
Lakers star Luka Dončić says he took one month off from basketball to transform body
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić turned heads earlier this week when his slimmed down, muscular image graced the cover of Men's Health. The Slovenian has been criticized in the past for his conditioning — and some say a factor in why he was dealt in one of the biggest trades in league history last season. Dončić, appearing Wednesday on 'TODAY,' said his team of trainers 'tried some new things' this offseason to improve his physique and quiet the critics. 'Different food, different practices,' he said. 'I actually gave up playing basketball for one month, which I've never done in my life. So it was kind of challenging, but it was all good.' Dončić, 26, is unquestionably one of the top players in the NBA. He is a five-time All-Star, earned rookie of the year honors in 2019 and in 2024 led the league in scoring with 33.9 points per game. But when he was dealt last February in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history — a blockbuster that sent, among others, Lakers big man Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks — Dončić's body became a topic of conversation. According to ESPN, 'the Mavs had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Dončić due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer.' Dončić on Wednesday said he heard the criticism but did his best to ignore it. 'Honestly, I tried to not read much. Just tried to focus,' he said on 'TODAY.' 'I think I was still a pretty good basketball player back then, no matter what people say.' Dončić went on to average 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists a game with Los Angeles after the deal, but knew more needed to be done after the team was eliminated in the first round of the postseason by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He transitioned to a gluten-free, low-sugar diet and two-a-day workouts, completely transforming his body ahead of next season. Before opening night, a major decision looms: does he sign an extension with the Lakers to remain in L.A. for the foreseeable future? On August 2, Dončić is eligible to sign a new four-year deal worth $223 million. When asked about his intention on 'TODAY,' he brushed it off. 'I don't know what you're talking about,' he laughed.
Fox Sports
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 NBA Odds: Lakers, Dončić Odds Shorten After Magazine Cover Reveal
Both Luka Dončić's weight and the Lakers' title odds are on the move. Dončić is the cover athlete in the latest edition of Men's Health Magazine, and since he revealed his svelte, new physique, the star's MVP odds have also moved up the board. Currently, the Lakers' championship futures are +1400 at DraftKings Sportsbook, moving from +1600 just two weeks ago. On July 17 at DraftKings, Dončić was sitting fourth at +800 to win the league's most coveted individual honor. Now, he's third at +650, behind Nikola Jokić (+250) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+250), and moving ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo (+700). Let's check out some of the other Lakers and Dončić odds at DraftKings as of July 29. Dončić Clutch Player of the Year +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total) Dončić Western Conference Finals MVP +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total) Dončić Finals MVP +2000 (bet +2000 to win $210 total) Lakers Win Western Conference +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total) Lakers No. 1 Seed Western Conference +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) JJ Redick Coach of the Year +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total) Will Dončić's slimmed-down frame be worth its weight in gold when it comes to boosting the Lakers' chances at winning it all next year? At least one expert thinks so. "I think he looked at LeBron and said this guy is naturally gifted … I want to get there," co-host Chris Broussard said on "First Things First" about Dončić's physical transformation. "If he does come back looking like he did in that magazine in that kind of shape, the Lakers are a real threat," Broussard added. "Luka is great period. Luka was great last year — overweight, coming off injury, sad … and not playing defense. "If he's in this kind of shape … I just think they have enough, and they have a legitimate chance." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Luka Dončić looks great but his supposed vertical is doubtful at best
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 Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić has had a remarkable body transformation so far this summer and he looks more than ready for FIFA EuroBasket. During a recent interview, the Slovenian-born All-Star discussed everything that he has done to get in good shape before representing his country in the upcoming basketball tournament. That includes multiple workouts per day as well as "a gluten-free, low-sugar diet" that should help his conditioning, which is something that may have damaged his reputation among certain members of the front office when he played for the Dallas Mavericks. Dončić looks nothing short of fantastic in these photos and his quotes about the continued progress indicate that he should feel proud of everything he is doing to continue that journey toward a healthier lifestyle, which is something that he has acknowledged needed work. However, there is one part of the story that should raise some eyebrows (via Men's Health): Oh, and he can jump. Lost in the narratives about his weight and conditioning is the fact that, as a 19-year-old at the 2018 NBA Scouting Combine, Luka delivered a 42-inch vertical leap. After a full offseason with Team Luka, he's not sure that number is still the same. 'This year, we didn't measure the jumping yet,' he says. 'But I think it's a little bit higher.' The idea that Dončić feels he can jump higher now that he could at 19 years old should excite fans. Depending on how he has spent the offseason, it is also entirely possible. But there is something that we should address: Beginning in 2023, the league now requires all players to measure and test athleticism at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, and excused international players can choose to instead do that in Treviso. Back then, however, Dončić did not actually participate in the 2018 NBA Draft Combine. He was still playing overseas for Real Madid while participating in the EuroLeague Final Four. Two players who did participate in the 2018 NBA Draft Combine were future NBA Slam Dunk Contest champions Anfernee Simons and Hamidou Diallo. Neither of them even notched a 42-inch vertical, so it is unlikely that even if Dončić did participate, he would have recorded that number at the peak of his youth and athleticism. For comparison, Donovan Mitchell had a 40.5-inch vertical when he participated in the NBA Draft Combine. Jalen Williams recorded a 39-inch vertical. When you watch those two play, it seems doubtful that Dončić was jumping multiple inches higher than they did. Because there is no recorded information available about how high Dončić could jump in 2019, we can only operate on the assumption based on the context we are given. But what we do have is a database on what Dončić actually does during a basketball game. While it is worth noting that he was dealing with multiple injuries, Dončić had just one dunk all of last season. On that dunk, per his recorded vertical was 23.4 inches. Only two players recorded a vertical on a dunk more than 42 inches in 2024-25: Shaedon Sharpe and Ja Morant. The season before that even when including the postseason, per Basketball-Reference, Dončić had just two dunks. Dončić has never recorded more than than 25 dunks in a season and that was just his rookie campaign. For direct comparison, Golden State's Gary Payton II (who is listed at 6-foot-2 and is several inches shorter) had 37 dunks last season. Otherwise he has never had more than 15 dunks, which is as many as Utah Jazz rookie guard Isaiah Collier (who is listed at 6-foot-3) had last season. Maybe we could see a bouncier version of Dončić in Los Angeles next season, but no, we can't imagine that Dončić exceeds a 42-inch vertical for the Lakers unless he has a trampoline.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Luka Doncic will sign four-year deal with Lakers once eligible
Perhaps the mild anxiety regarding whether Luka Doncic will sign a long-term contract extension of some kind with the Los Angeles Lakers by the end of this summer is unfounded. He is currently preparing to represent his native Slovenia in the EuroBasket tournament, which will take place during the latter part of the summer and run deep into September. Brian Windhorst recently said that it would be reasonable to expect Doncic to wait until he returns to the United States late in the offseason before he signs a deal. However, according to Martin Pavcnik of SportKlub, Doncic is "expected" to sign his extension on Aug. 2, which is the first day he will be eligible to do so (h/t Lakers Nation). "Although last season taught us that there is no sealed future in the NBA, even if the back of your jersey says 'Dončić', it still seems that Luka and the LA Lakers will announce a long-term journey together in just over a week. The Ljubljana native is already waiting for a new multi-year contract in California. He is expected to sign it on August 2nd." The coach of the Slovenian team may have tipped his hand as far as when Doncic will get his extension done. 'I expect him to arrive after August 4, when he has completed all his obligations in the USA,' said coach Aleksander Sekulić yesterday. In fact, according to the website, Doncic already has some sort of agreement in place for a four-year extension. "The American media speculated that Luka, who has been sculpting his body in recent weeks, losing several kilograms and reducing his body fat percentage, might be delaying signing a new contract since September. There were even hints that he might wait until next summer, when he would be a completely free player and available to all clubs. But it seems that the uncertainty will soon be over. Dončić is said to have agreed to a four-year extension worth 229 million US dollars." Obviously, getting the 26-year-old superstar to sign on the dotted line before the start of training camp would give the Lakers organization some tremendous clarity as far as its direction in the immediate future without having to wonder if he wants to stick around. Doncic has already been acting like someone who plans on being with the Lakers for a while and is emotionally invested in the franchise. He helped convince veteran guard Marcus Smart to come to the team, and he was reportedly motivated to play alongside new Lakers center Deandre Ayton, with whom he shares the same agent.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers get $222 million Luka Doncic contract update after Marcus Smart recruitment news
Luka Dončić's loyalty to the Los Angeles Lakers has remained in question since his arrival via trade from the Dallas Mavericks this past season. Fortunately for the storied franchise, it appears that the 5-time All-NBA First Team selection and 26-year-old phenom plans to remain the centerpiece of the organization heading into the post-LeBron James era. After the Lakers recently acquired former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft Deandre Ayton and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year winner Marcus Smart this offseason, reports surfaced that Dončić had a hand in recruiting the pair of talented complementary pieces, indicating that he is fully committed to winning in Los Angeles. Dončić's offseason enthusiasm has been viewed as a positive sign by fans and NBA media members alike, and new updates have indicated that the Lakers can breathe a sigh of relief, as the likelihood of the generational guard inking a hefty contract extension with the franchise this summer continues to see exponential growth. "There was ownership by Luka this offseason to stamp down that he wants to be part of the Lakers moving forward, and he wants others to join him," ESPN's Dave McMenamin shared during a Wednesday evening appearance on ESPN's NBA Today. "So he makes calls to Deandre Ayton, the guy who came into the draft with him as the No. 1 pick, now he's the center for the Lakers." Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp "(Dončić) makes calls to Marcus Smart, needs to fill the point-of-attack defender spot that Dorian Finney-Smith occupied last year, he now plays for the Houston Rockets. (He) gets Marcus Smart to come." "We look at that Aug. 2 date when the Lakers can offer an extension to Luka Dončić worth four years, $222 million, up to that figure. I would say if you're a Laker fan, you shouldn't have any worry about Luka coming to some sort of an extension agreement." Following the league-shattering trade that swapped Dončić for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis on Feb. 2, the Slovenian superstar contributed 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists while knocking down 37.9% of his 9.6 three-point attempts in 28 regular-season contests with the Lakers to close the 2024-25 campaign. Los Angeles would then fall in disappointing fashion in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, but the Lakers have already begun to look forward to a future with Dončić at the helm. The one-of-a-kind offensive talent will have the option of inking a deal for three or four years, but it looks as though the Lakers could be afforded a semblance of security regardless of the contract's structure.
