Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Dončić went viral over the summer for his eye-popping body transformation ahead of Year 8 of his NBA career. While some doubt his ability to sustain his renewed physical discipline over the rigors of an 82-game regular season and playoff run, Lakers coach JJ Redick has a different read on the situation.
Despite his decorated start to his career, including five All-NBA First Team selections, a league scoring title and an NBA Finals appearance, Dončić has long struggled with his weight. The 26-year-old’s poor conditioning reportedly factored into the Dallas Mavericks’ stunning decision to trade him to LA in early February.
However, entering his first full campaign with the Lakers, Dončić flipped the narrative, showcasing his new slimmed-down physique in a late July edition of Men’s Health magazine. The five-time All-Star reportedly dropped 31 pounds through a high-protein, low-sugar, and gluten-free diet, intermittent fasting, and arduous two-a-day workouts, gaining Redick’s confidence.
What Does JJ Redick Think About Luka Dončić’s Ability To Uphold His Fitness Overhaul?
During Redick and LA president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka’s 2025-26 season-opening press conference on Thursday, Dončić’s offseason work was a major talking point.
Redick weighed in on the Slovenian megastar’s chances of sticking to his new fitness regimen. The former sharpshooter anticipated Dončić permanently adopting his new lifestyle, citing his enthusiasm about his breakthrough.
“I get the sense from talking to him all summer, spending time with him — not only just here but at the Backstreet Boys — that this is his life now, this is his routine, this is just a daily commitment to the new standard that he’s set for himself,” Redick said. “His excitement level, not just in what he hopes the season will be, but his excitement level in embracing this new standard was very high.”
JJ on Luka’s body transformation:
“I get the sense from talking to him all summer, spending time with him not only just here but at the Backstreet Boys that this is his life now, this is his routine, just a daily commitment to the new standard that he set for himself” pic.twitter.com/YI4KDrDXDv
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 25, 2025
Dončić put his hard-earned results on display at EuroBasket 2025 earlier this month, averaging a tournament-high 34.7 points per game as he carried Slovenia to a quarterfinal appearance. He did so in just 33.3 minutes a night across seven group phase and knockout round outings, underscoring his dominance.
If Dončić can stay in optimal shape and produce at a comparable rate this upcoming NBA season, he could be in store for his second scoring title. His career-best scoring average of 33.9 ppg, which he achieved during the 2023-24 campaign with Dallas, was followed by his first Finals run.
A similarly locked-in Dončić should bode very well for the Lakers’ chances of moving past last season’s underwhelming five-game, first-round playoff exit.