Luka Doncic is about to test his new physique on the basketball court this week as he represents Slovenia.
Luka Doncic has worked incredibly hard this offseason to prepare for the 2025-26 season. The Los Angeles Lakers star put his head down and grinded like never before.
Last week, Luka Doncic unveiled his new physique to Lakers fans. It was incredible to see Doncic in such phenomenal shape after years of criticism over his physique.
Even Dallas Mavericks fans were shocked by Doncic’s transformation. The move to the Lakers has given Doncic some newfound motivation.
The Lakers have stood by Doncic this entire time. This weekend, Luka Doncic signed a $165 million extension with the Lakers.
With a few months to go ahead of the new NBA season, Lakers fans are itching to see their star showcase his transformation on the court. But if they want a preview, they can turn to the Slovenian national team this week.
Slovenian national team representative Aleksander Sekulic confirmed that Luka Doncic would return to Slovenia on Tuesday and take part in their game on Friday.
Doncic, who committed to representing Slovenia at EuroBasket, will captain the team in their warm-up game against Germany on Friday.
“We follow the plan, we will now adapt everything to the captain. Players are already very difficult to expect. Luka has a good influence on the team, not just on the playground.
“I am glad that Luka showed a high level of motivation. He wants to show that this national team, if we get to work in the right way, can also do a lot in this European championship.” (SportKlub via Google Translate)
Best believe, the LA Lakers coaching staff, led by JJ Redick, will be keeping a close eye on Luka Doncic during the weeks to come.
Getting to see what Doncic can do on the court after his transformation is crucial to them. If Doncic looks like a quicker player, especially playing under tougher circumstances in FIBA rules, it will be a good omen.
The Lakers know they will have Luka Doncic available to them at the end of September for training camp.
If Doncic shows that his motor is better, the Lakers will be confident in letting him play less during preseason games.
The Lakers are looking to compete for an NBA championship with Luka Doncic and LeBron James next season. If he is in this shape for the entire season, the Lakers will be one of the teams to watch.
