Luka Doncic is WSJ. Magazine's Fall Men's Issue Cover Star.
Ahead of the 2025-2026 NBA season, the NBA star sat down with the publication to talk getting in shape for the new campaign, his reaction to being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and more. The profile also includes interviews with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and LeBron James.
Below are some of the top highlights from the profile, the entirety of which you can check out here.
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WSJ. Magazine
Doncic on getting into shape:
"For the first time, I stopped playing basketball for a month...Pure training and fitness...And padel tennis.
Doncic on being traded to the Lakers:
"I didn’t know how to react, how to act, what to say. It was a lot of shock. I felt Dallas was my home. I had many friends there. The fans always supported me. I didn’t want to upset Dallas fans. And I didn’t want to upset Laker fans."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the trade:
"Putting aside the merits of the trade, you could argue that it was a bit of a kick in the ass to Luka. He didn’t try to sugarcoat this trade. Another player could have said, ‘Oh, now I’m part of the Los Angeles Lakers organization. He didn’t try to hide his disappointment, and I think he was in a bit of a funk for a while, because it was probably the first true professional setback of his career. And I was hoping personally for him that he would ultimately see this as an opportunity to reset."
Lebron James on Doncic:
"I just love the way he approaches the game. I love the way he plays the game. More importantly, man, he’s just a great f—ing guy. Big-time savant of the game...I always use IQ as a measuring point in basketball—guys who can think the game. There are so many guys in our league who can play the game, but to be able to think the game as well puts you at another level."
Additionally, Doncic participated in WSJ. Magazine's "The One" Series, where he expanded on the blockbuster Lakers trade, advice from his NBA idols and how fatherhood reshaped his definition of success. You can check out the full video here.
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