Shocked NBA Scout Explains Why Luka Doncic Will Finally Get His Revenge After ‘Fat’ Jibes

Reports about his excess weight have fueled Luka Doncic to such an extent that he completely transformed himself over the summer, earning the admiration of the entire NBA.

The Slovenian superstar is heading into the EuroBasket after a summer that saw him change his image, solidify his long-term commitment to the Los Angeles Lakers, and work tirelessly to improve his physical condition.

A season in the NBA averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists is something very few players can achieve. It's even more impressive when followed by a playoff run averaging 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. But for Luka Doncic, that season (2024-25) was not a good one.

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He played only 50 games due to injuries, never reached his peak physical condition, and was the unwilling protagonist of one of the most shocking trades in NBA history. On February 2, 2025, a date now etched into his career history, the Mavericks sent him to the Lakers, sparking a wave of backlash in Dallas and excitement in Los Angeles.

Overcoming the initial shock of the trade, Luka Doncic decided to get his revenge and prove his critics wrong, answering everyone who had scrutinized his weight.

He worked hard, and exactly six months after his trade, on August 2, he signed a contract extension, putting an end to any rumors or speculation. The three-year, $165 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers runs through the summer of 2028, with a $57.5 million player option for the 2028-29 season.

While his efforts to transform his body in previous summers were not as effective, this time, everything is different.

An anonymous NBA team scouting manager was one of the first to notice, expressing his astonishment, according to the Dallas Hoops Journal, after Luka Doncic's first pre-EuroBasket friendly. In a Slovenia-Germany game (an 89-103 win for Germany), the Slovenian point guard posted 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.

"He's on a mission. I think next season he'll be the MVP and the NBA's leading scorer. He looks impressive. I walked past him and didn't even recognize him at first. He looks lean, in shape, stronger. He's more explosive now; he'll be able to beat his defenders much more easily, leave them behind," remarked the manager, who wished to remain anonymous.

"He looks like the player who came into the NBA with the Mavericks in 2018. I know there have been other summers where he lost weight and then gained it back during the season, but this time is different. One of his teammates told me he's out for revenge; he's been very angry ever since the Mavericks started saying he was fat."

Finally, the coach of the Slovenian national team, Aleksander Sekulić, sees a very focused Luka Doncic. "He has changed his work ethic. I don't know if he's in better physical shape or not; we'll see. He can't be in his best form now because he just started training properly. This isn't the real Dončić yet, because we already know what he's like when he steps on the basketball court... The most important thing is that he's highly motivated. He came here to do something special with the national team. And to get a head start on next season."