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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic's body transformation leads to Kendrick Perkins ‘MVP' prediction
The post Luka Doncic's body transformation leads to Kendrick Perkins 'MVP' prediction appeared first on ClutchPoints. Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic turned heads this offseason after appearing on the cover of 'Men's Health Magazine' looking like he had lost a bunch of weight. With Doncic seemingly getting in better shape, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins predicts an MVP season from Doncic. In the latest episode of the 'Road Trippin' Podcast,' Perkins predicted that Luka Doncic will win the MVP Award next season. The popular ESPN analyst believes that the 26-year-old Slovenian star is setting himself up for a massive season. 'We ain't looking at the chubby, fat Luka… We looking at skinny Luka. I saw his jawline… He is my early pick for MVP… We are about to get the best version of Luka Doncic.' Being out of shape was one of the reasons why the Dallas Mavericks felt the need to trade Luka Doncic to begin with. Doncic seemingly took that to heart and has undergone a body transformation to potentially elevate his game to another level. That's a scary thought considering he's one of the best players in the world right now. The five-time All-Star looked as good as ever playing alongside LeBron James in Los Angeles. Luka Doncic ended the 2024-25 campaign averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. He also owned an impressive 45.0% field goal percentage while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc. If the weight loss improves his game, then we should expect a huge year from Luka Doncic. After the Lakers went out of their way to acquire Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles hopes to remain in contention moving forward. However, the franchise is seemingly focusing on the 2026 season and beyond to become truly competitive in the league. So, we'll see how the club fairs in the 2025-26 season. Other notable acquisitions by the Lakers include Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia. Both players are subtle additions to potentially improve the depth of the roster. Related: Lakers' Luka Doncic makes insane seated shot at Dyckman Park Related: LeBron James spotted in new Nike LeBron sneakers while training
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 Bold Predictions For Luka Doncic's First Full Season With The Lakers
3 Bold Predictions For Luka Doncic's First Full Season With The Lakers originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Luka Doncic has officially entered the next chapter of his career, and it's painted in purple and gold. After a midseason blockbuster trade brought the 5x All-Star to Los Angeles, the basketball world is watching to see what kind of impact he can make with the Lakers from day one. While his short stint last year gave fans a taste of his potential fit, 2025-26 marks the beginning of his true journey as the franchise cornerstone. From his renewed physical conditioning to a chip on his shoulder after being traded by Dallas, Doncic enters the season with something to prove. The expectations in L.A. are massive, but so is the opportunity. With LeBron James nearing retirement and the Lakers retooling their roster around Doncic's timeline, it's Luka's team now. Here are three bold predictions for what could be the most explosive season of his NBA career. Luka Will Finish Top-2 In MVP Voting Doncic has flirted with MVP-level play for years, but this season sets up perfectly for him to finally dominate the narrative. With LeBron James stepping into a reduced role and a revamped roster built around Doncic's strengths, he'll have the ball in his hands more than ever. That means bigger stats, more clutch moments, and a higher national profile as the Lakers contend in prime time. Last year, Luka averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, but many believed conditioning and team drama held him back. Now, with a leaner frame, renewed focus, and elite motivation to prove Dallas wrong, expect Luka to make a legitimate push for MVP. The only thing standing in his way might be voter fatigue, or another supernova season from someone like Nikola Jokic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Doncic Will Average A Triple-Double For The First Time Now that Luka is in full command of the Lakers' offense, there's a real possibility he joins the ultra-exclusive triple-double club. While he's always flirted with the numbers (career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game), he's never put it all together for a full season. That could change in 2025–26. With more shooters around him, improved conditioning, and a system tailored to his strengths, Doncic is in the perfect environment to boost his assist and rebound totals without sacrificing scoring. If he does pull it off, he'd be the first Laker ever to average a triple-double and only the third player in history to do it over a full season multiple times (joining Westbrook and Oscar Robertson). Luka Will Lead Lakers To The Western Conference Finals The Lakers finished third in the West last year, even with chemistry issues and major injuries. With a full offseason to gel, a healthy Doncic, and a defensive anchor like Ayton to protect the rim, the path is there for a deep playoff run. Factor in the veteran presence of Marcus Smart, LeBron, and a coach in JJ Redick who understands modern spacing and tempo, and you've got the recipe for a breakout season. The West is stacked—no question. But teams like Denver and OKC have their own vulnerabilities, and the Clippers and Warriors are aging fast. If the Lakers stay healthy and Doncic stays locked in, don't be surprised if he leads this team past the second round for the first time since 2023. A trip to the Conference Finals would validate the trade and officially mark the dawn of a new Lakers era. Defining Season For Luka Doncic If Luka Doncic truly delivers on these bold predictions, the entire trajectory of the Lakers franchise could shift. After years of inconsistency and playoff heartbreak, Los Angeles finally has a young cornerstone who can carry the torch post-LeBron. The pressure will be immense, and with the right support system around him, this could be the start of a legendary second act to his career. For all the hype that's followed him since his Dallas days, Luka's time in purple and gold might just become the defining chapter of his NBA story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Dončić 2.0: shredded, motivated… and finally an MVP?
Subscribe to The Big Number Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube This week, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dive into Men's Health Luka — the shock heard 'round the NBA. Is this the season Luka Doncic finally cashes in on all that MVP hype? We break down the jaw-dropping 1.4 expected MVPs stat, why his shredded transformation could change everything and whether the Lakers' roster chaos might hold him back. Plus: RFA contract predictions, why 40-point games don't always equal big paydays, and the very real possibility that Cam Thomas is better than Tim Duncan (kidding). (1:20) - Is Luka 2.0 ready for an MVP run? (15:55) - Can Lakers win enough games for Luka to win MVP? (19:30) - Lakers' defensive concerns (23:30) - Can Lakers offense be good enough to support Luka MVP bid? (27:20) - Can Luka stay healthy enough to win MVP? (33:05) - Deep dive on the current available RFAs 🖥️
