Lakers’ Luka Doncic jokes at Mavs’ expense amid body transformation, contract extension rumors

Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a pivotal 2025-26 campaign, and it has become apparent that the 26-year-old phenom has taken his health seriously this summer.

The 5-time All-NBA First Team selection has worked tirelessly to get in fantastic shape this offseason. As a result, the fruits of his labor could be viewed plainly when he took a trip to New York City on Monday to stand opposite New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge during a recent photo opp.

During his visit to Yankee Stadium, Dončić conversed with the Yankees' play-by-play announcer Michael Kay on the topic of his physical fitness and if the ex-Dallas Mavericks guard should send his former team a copy of Men's Health magazine's Monday edition, which included Dončić, as an act of revenge.

Dončić was traded to the Lakers prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline this past season due in large part to the Mavericks' concern for his health, making his recent transformation a bitter pill to swallow for the organization. In response to Kay, Dončić reportedly made light of Dallas' decision through a clever jab at the team.

"They probably saw it," Dončić said, as reported by the Los Angeles Times' Steve Henson on Wednesday morning.

"I don’t have to worry about that."

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With the generational talent setting himself up for a fantastic first full season as a member of the Lakers, Dončić will truly have an opportunity to get back at the Mavericks if he can lead the Lakers to a top seed in a stacked Western Conference next season.

Through his first 28 appearances for Los Angeles to close the 2024-25 regular season, Dončić contributed 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists while knocking down 37.9% of his 9.6 attempts from three-point range.

The Lakers eventually fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs in five games, but the storied franchise's notable offseason moves have done plenty to address key issues within their rotation.

Next on the agenda for Dončić, he'll be able to sit down with the Lakers' top brass to ink a long-term extension after Aug 2.

Whether he decides to agree to terms on a 4-year, $222 million deal or a shorter 3-year, $161 million contract, he will make it known that his intentions are to compete for titles as a member of the Lakers for years to come.

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