It seems like Luka Doncic’s fitness has turned into a hot topic every time the NBA season ends. While the basketball community was busy celebrating Goran Dragic’s retirement with the farewell ‘Night of the Dragon’ game earlier this weekend, several fans noticed that Luka, who was also playing that night, had gained significant weight this off-season. Some even claimed that the Mavs star currently weighs 280 lbs. However, veteran insider Marc Stein denied all allegations, giving a major sigh of relief to the worried Mavs fanbase.

Stein said, “Look, I know everybody is gonna get all obsessed about screen caps and freeze frames… screen caps and freeze frames are not always kind.” So, there is a chance that the images that went viral did not paint the true image of Luka’s current fitness. Then, the insider revealed what he recently saw in Slovenia, “I saw him in normal clothes, in street clothes on Friday night and he looked pretty normal to me.”

Yes, Luka might not be in the ideal shape that the fans would want him to. But there is still over a month left before the training camp begins and he has enough time to get back on track. With the Dragic farewell weekend over, Stein claimed that Luka is expected to ramp up his preparation to get in game shape for the upcoming season. “He is just now going to begin, I think, the serious training regimen part of his off-season… the process kind of begins now,” Stein added on the DLLS Dallas Mavericks pod.

With the schedule Luka played through in the past year, this break was much needed for him to return healthy for next season.

The Mavs need Luka Doncic completely healthy to win it all

Yes, Slovenia failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. But it might have been a blessing in disguise for Luka. That’s because he had already played over a hundred games in the past twelve months. Beginning with last year’s FIBA World Cup, Doncic followed it up by playing 70 regular season games. Then, his schedule got even more hectic as he played 22 high-intensity playoff games, leading the Mavs to the finals. Here’s when we see the veteran playing through multiple injuries and getting frustrated during games. While it was the best run of his career, it took a massive toll on Luka’s body.

He played most of the playoffs dealing with knee sprain and ankle soreness and his status was questionable for most of the games before tip-off. Addressing the severity of Luka’s injuries, insider Jared Greenberg even said, “I was told if this were the regular season, he would have been shut down for a minimum of at least two weeks.” However, the stakes were too high for Doncic to take a backseat.

But now that Luka has finally got the rest he desperately needed, fans can expect him to come back stronger next season despite what the recent images show. And a healthy Luka could help the Mavs achieve what they haven’t been able to. Win an NBA Championship.

Do you agree?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger