11-Year NBA Veteran Reacts to Luka Doncic's Unexpected Appearance

Former Memphis Grizzlies guard Gilbert Arenas reacted to Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic's new look in the offseason

Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks shockingly traded away young superstar guard Luka Doncic last season, as the Los Angeles Lakers lucked out from another franchise's mismanagement. Doncic has consistently been one of the best players in the NBA over the past handful of years, and after signing a new contract extension with the Lakers, he will be their franchise cornerstone of the present and future.

One of the main reasons the Mavericks reportedly decided to trade away Doncic was because the young superstar had a questionable work ethic and was getting out of shape, but he is proving that theory wrong this offseason.

Luka Doncic back in the gym 👀 (via @luka7doncic) pic.twitter.com/C01Uy75tuy

— Overtime (@overtime) June 10, 2025

Doncic has spent his summer in the gym, getting in possibly the best shape of his career, and fans have been talking about this new "skinny Luka" appearance.

Gilbert Arenas reacts to Luka Doncic losing weight

Even 11-year NBA veteran and former Memphis Grizzlies guard Gilbert Arenas chimed in on Doncic's new appearance.

"Let's just be honest, man. The fact that he showed you with enough time of rest, that Ozempic kicks in quick," Arenas joked. "...Now the fact that he was doing what he was doing while he was fat, what do you think's about to happen now? ...He's about to go ham. I don't want to hear nothing about no defense. He's not losing weight to play defense. He lost some weight to see if [the Lakers] can play some defense... Let him average 39, nine, and nine."

That Ozempic gon have Luka averaging 39 9 and 9 out here 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/SVY6PHirve

— Gilbert Arenas (@NoChillGilZero) August 4, 2025

Of course, Doncic did not take Ozempic to get his weight down, and his getting in shape has been a common offseason trend throughout his NBA career. Now, Doncic is doing it on the Lakers, and everyone is talking about it.

With Doncic gearing up to represent Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025, the superstar guard might be in the best shape of his career heading into the 2025-26 NBA season.

“We aint looking at the chubby, fat Luka… We looking at skinny Luka. I saw his jawline… He is my early pick for MVP… We are about to get the best version of Luka Doncic.”

Kendrick Perkins with HIGH praise for Luka Doncic 👀

(via @RoadTrippinPod)
pic.twitter.com/71yBYqAQmA

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 29, 2025

In his debut tenure with the Lakers after the trade, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game through 28 appearances, and now he will have a full offseason in Los Angeles to get in shape and work with his new team to improve.

Like Arenas said, if Doncic was able to nearly average a 30-point triple-double when the Mavericks were not pleased with his physique, many are wondering what he will be able to do for the Lakers when he is in shape.