Luka Doncic announced on Saturday that he has signed a three-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, officially committing to the team after being traded in February. The 26-year-old, a five-time All-NBA selection, was part of a high-profile deal that sent 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis to Dallas. Despite this, Doncic revealed that his adjustment was not immediate, admitting earlier this year that learning about his trade left him heartbroken.

I felt like my heart was broken, honestly,

Doncic said.

Remarkable Change in Doncic’s Physical Condition Since Joining Lakers

Since his trade, Doncic’s physical transformation has drawn significant attention. By August, he appeared visibly fitter and seemed genuinely content as a Laker, a shift noticed by fans during his press conference. This stark contrast from his earlier, more downcast demeanor highlighted how much the change has affected him.

Damn literally night and Day Lol,

one fan remarked.

Look how sad he was man,

another commented, adding,

Glad he got a smile on his face,

a third fan said.

Bro got his joy back lol,

a fourth fan added enthusiastically.

Details Behind Doncic’s Physical Rejuvenation

Reports from ESPN revealed that Dallas had struggled with Doncic’s conditioning and nutrition, issues which contributed to his playing only 50 games last season due to recurring calf injuries. Weighing as much as 260 pounds, Doncic faced public criticism over his weight and commitment. However, since moving to Los Angeles, he has revamped his fitness and diet regimen dramatically.

This overhaul was highlighted in his feature on the cover of Men’s Health, where he was shown in peak condition. The magazine emphasized the extensive effort Doncic has invested over several years to reach this point.

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 making.

—Men’s Health Mag

In the detailed feature, it was disclosed that Doncic took a month off from basketball to recover fully and adopted a gluten-free, low-sugar diet as part of his commitment to improving his body.

Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,

Doncic told Men’s Health.

Implications of Doncic’s New Physique for the Lakers’ Future

With his physical condition vastly improved and new teammates like Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton joining the Lakers, Doncic is focused on immediate success. His mindset is reportedly centered on winning now, aiming to capitalize on the team’s strengthened roster as the upcoming season approaches.

I spoke to someone close to Luka over the weekend and they told me that Luka’s mentality is win now,

reported ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Betting markets also reflect confidence in Doncic’s breakout potential. As of Saturday, he holds the third-highest odds to win the NBA MVP award, trailing only Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

While Dallas’s decision to trade Doncic may be defensible from their perspective, his transformation and drive suggest that he could become one of the league’s most dominant players in the near future, potentially affecting the NBA landscape for years ahead.