NBA Execs Predict Lakers Will Thrive With New ‘In-Shape’ Luka Doncic: Exclusive

It takes quite a bit to roust NBA types from the post-summer league break that allows them to sleep with just one eye open — instead of both, which is the general state of play during the other 11 months.

But apparently a virtual alarm clock has been discovered in the form of photos of a non-doughy Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic.

“When I woke up and saw those, I was like, whoa,” said a southwestern exec who wanted to ask a reporter if he thought there was any chance the images were the product of Photoshop or AI or a wicked good Hollywood makeup artist.

Doncic was featured in Men’s Health in July 2025 and revealed his offseason transformation. Photos of him with Aaron Judge at a Yankees game also turned heads in Los Angeles and across the league.

‘I Give Him a Lot of Credit for Putting in the Work,’ an NBA Exec Told Heavy About Luka Doncic

“I give him a lot of credit for putting in the work,” the southwestern executive told Heavy Sports. “You can also look at it like, why did it take him seven years in the league to realize he needed to do something like this? But he’s here now, and it changes how you have to look at (the Lakers) maybe not so much this year, because they’re still going to have some roster issues, but definitely long-term. Everybody’s been thinking LA made the move for Luka because they want him to take over for LeBron and have it be his team for the longer term. Now if Luka’s going to be in shape, it’s easier to see that coming true.

“Before all this, you had to wonder if his body was going to hold up with all that extra weight and allow him to have the kind of long career the franchise would want if it makes that kind of commitment to him.”

‘People Should Be Very Terrified’ by the New Luka Doncic, an NBA Insider Says

Later Tuesday in a conversation with a league coach, there was curiosity as to how his peers were reacting to the Luka news.

“People should be very terrified,” the sideline veteran said.

“I know I am,” he added with a laugh. “He was putting up big numbers (28.6 ppg/career) when he was a chunk. I don’t know if he’ll score more, but he’s got to be a better player when he’s in shape. If he was one of the best players in the league as a blob, you have to figure he’s going to be able to push it even more now. If nothing else, his stamina’s going to be a lot better, and that’s really important as the season goes along and you get into the playoffs. I think there’s a much better chance he doesn’t break down and go through some of the injuries he’s had in the past.

“But I would be terrified. That guy in shape? That’s scary. I saw those pictures. That’s scary. Luka not in shape was amazing. Now? I think it’s going to be frightening for the rest of the league.”

‘Everyone Thinks Dallas Should Have Gotten More for Luka’

The word from inside the Mavericks leading up to Doncic being traded to the Lakers was one of concern for the future and what the club would have to pay. To wit: if he wasn’t going to play defense and take care of his body for a team that made it to the NBA Finals, would he be any more inclined to do so if the team gave him some $345 million when he was in line for a contract extension this summer? (It’s fair to assume the Lakers are even more comfortable offering the max to the new Luka.)

“Look, everyone thinks Dallas should have gotten more for Luka, gotten a better deal,” one general manager told Heavy. “But some of those people who were outside the arena in Dallas holding signs and picketing because they traded him have to be thinking twice when they see what kind of shape he’s in now.

“If I’m a Dallas fan, I’m thinking, ‘Why the hell didn’t he put in the work and get in shape like this with he played for us?’ I can see people there being pissed off about that. Like I said, it doesn’t mean the Mavs shouldn’t have gotten more for him, but it can’t feel good to see him make this kind of commitment in LA when he wouldn’t do it in Dallas.

“Of course, if the Lakers don’t have the kind of depth they need and Dallas gets a big impact from (Cooper) Flagg — and Kyrie (Irving) somehow makes it back late in the year and can play — people won’t be talking about Luka’s body.”