Lakers Coach Credits LeBron James For Helping With Luka Doncic's Physical Transformation

This off-season, perhaps the defining story of the NBA before the Kawhi Leonard saga was the physical transformation of Lakers superstar Luka Doncic. The All-NBA point guard has slimmed down, and it's clearly paying off for him already at EuroBasket, as he's put up some incredible numbers thus far.

That should send plenty of fear through the NBA as the Lakers are shaping up as a genuine threat, even in the ridiculously loaded Western Conference. While there's been plenty of people cited as the reason Doncic wanted to get in shape, Lakers coach Greg St. Jean has credited LeBron James in large part for Doncic's physical transformation.

“When you’re around really good players, you can’t help but be motivated to get better at your craft. I know he’s always looked up to LeBron, so having those two together is motivating both ways.”

While it may not have been a direct influence from James, getting to play with one of the best of all time must be influential on anyone, with St. Jean noting that both players are motivated by each other. That could spell danger for the rest of the NBA ahead of the 2025/26 season, with the Lakers looking to start the Luka Doncic era on the right foot, with one final run with LeBron.

Whether or not that happens, only time will tell, but if Doncic can take his game to a new level now that he's in shape, he could solidify himself as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history one day.