Luka Doncic’s surprising midseason trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers created an exciting opportunity for the franchise to build around a young star. However, despite Doncic’s impressive playoff averages, criticisms have emerged regarding his conditioning and leadership during the Lakers’ offseason evaluations.
The Lakers closed the regular season with a 50-32 record, earning the third seed in the Western Conference, but their postseason was cut short after a first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Doncic performed strongly, averaging 30.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in that series, yet the team’s overall result was disappointing.
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith expressed serious concerns about Doncic’s physical readiness and role as a leader on the Lakers. On First Take, Smith stated,
If the issue involving you is that you’re not in shape, if conditioning is a question mark, that’s lacking leadership,
emphasizing the link he sees between fitness and leadership responsibility.
Smith further warned,
I have never encountered any champion that says it’s OK to be out of shape.
His remarks highlight the pressure on Doncic to meet the standards expected of elite players.
Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison reportedly pushed the trade partly because of concerns regarding Doncic’s conditioning and defensive performance. The Mavericks had taken steps to improve his physical habits, including faculty changes in their strength and health staff after reports indicated Doncic’s weight had risen above 260 pounds.
Since joining the Lakers, Doncic has committed to a more rigorous offseason training plan involving weight-room work, high-intensity intervals, and a stricter diet, aiming to sustain his high-energy play throughout a full 82-game season. At 26, Doncic remains under a five-year, $215 million contract, with a player option after the next season.
In his 28 regular-season games with Los Angeles, the Slovenian guard produced averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists while shooting 43.8 percent from the field. His standout performance included a 42-point game against Denver, in which he drained 10 three-pointers. During the playoffs, he logged a career-high average of 41.6 minutes per game, confirming his role as the Lakers’ primary offensive force.
As the Lakers evaluate their future, Luka Doncic’s conditioning and leadership will remain central to discussions about the team’s potential success and long-term strategy. How he responds to criticism and adapts his training could significantly influence the Lakers’ trajectory in the coming seasons.