Dallas Basketball

Ex-Maverick Luka Doncic was on the way to body transformation before Lakers trade

The decision to trade the Slovenian superstar seems worse by the day.
Keenan Womack|
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
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

In this story:

Dallas Mavericks

The Luka Doncic trade in February of this year has been lambasted as one of the worst trades in the history of professional sports, and more evidence seems to come in every day of GM Nico Harrison's massive mistake.

Doncic, who was the punchline of jokes throughout the season for his being out of shape, has already shown that his dedication to his body has seen an uptick since the offseason began, as the he was featured on the cover of Men's Health Magazine recently. Many wondered how much of this was spurred by the trade itself – but according to The Athletic, Doncic was on his way to this before the swap with LA ever happened.

READ MORE: Ex-Maverick JJ Redick gives gameplan to Lakers' Bronny James

"Some sources in Doncic’s inner circle believed he was on the path toward this kind of physical transformation, whether or not Dallas general manager Nico Harrison had bet against him. Doncic and his management team began working with [Anze] Macek and [Javier] Barrio in 2023. One year later, he helped carry the Mavericks to the NBA Finals and immediately followed that by playing for his national team in Slovenia’s failed bid to make the Paris Olympics."

READ MORE: Lakers' Luka Doncic laughs at Mavericks after body transformation goes viral

These are damning words from writer Dan Woike. Of course, they could be a part of Doncic's camp trying to rewrite the narrative, but the evidence does point to the fact that Dallas may have prematurely dealt the young superstar to the Lakers for an aging Anthony Davis. Doncic is now the centerpiece for the Lakers' future plans, with GM Rob Pelinka hellbent on providing the most functional roster possible.

Given the Lakers' new ownership and their deep pockets, LA will now have infrastructure it has lacked in the past from a scouting and player development standpoint. If they can harness their newfound advantages, Doncic could establish himself as the latest Laker superstar to win a championship – or multiple.

READ MORE: The Anthony Davis reason for Mavericks choosing D'Angelo Russell over Chris Paul

Stick with MavericksGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the offseason

Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter

More Dallas Mavericks News

Published
Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

Home/News