The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t just building around Luka Doncic on the court — they’re investing in his inner circle off it. On Monday, the team made a move that reunites their star with one of his most trusted allies from his Dallas Mavericks days.
A Reunion Years in the Making
Jeremy Holsopple, the NBA’s Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2021, is joining the Lakers as their new head strength and conditioning coach, according to Marc Stein.
For Doncic, this isn’t just another staff addition. Holsopple played a pivotal role in his development in Dallas, overseeing his physical conditioning and helping him adapt to life in the United States after arriving from Europe.
The two worked together for over half a decade, with Holsopple credited for keeping Doncic in peak shape and guiding his transformation from a promising teenager into a perennial MVP candidate.
Doncic’s First Six Months in L.A.
Since arriving in a blockbuster February trade that sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to Dallas, Doncic has become the Lakers’ statistical leader in nearly every category.
His regular-season numbers in purple and gold:
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28.2 points per game (team leader)
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8.1 rebounds per game (team leader)
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7.5 assists per game (second only to LeBron James)
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1.6 steals per game (team leader)
And in the playoffs, he stepped it up further, averaging 30.2 points and 5.8 assists while pushing the Lakers deep into the postseason.
Holsopple’s Complicated Dallas Exit
Holsopple spent 11 seasons with the Mavericks, joining in 2013 and working closely with stars across multiple eras. But his firing in 2024 raised eyebrows.
Reports suggested Mavericks GM Nico Harrison saw Holsopple, along with other longtime staffers like Casey Smith and Casey Spangler, as having too much influence over Doncic. ESPN reported Harrison labeled them “enablers,” despite their strong reputations across the league.
After parting ways with Dallas following the 2024 NBA Finals, Holsopple spent the 2024-25 season outside the league — until now.
Offseason Transformation Already Turning Heads
Doncic’s commitment to conditioning has been evident this summer. A feature in Men’s Health last month highlighted his leaner build, improved mobility, and a training regimen focused on endurance and injury prevention.
Reuniting with Holsopple could accelerate that progress. Those close to Doncic say the coach understands how to push him without overtraining — something crucial for a player who carries such a heavy offensive load.
Big Picture for the Lakers
The Lakers’ decision to lock in Doncic for three more years and $165 million was already a clear statement of intent. Adding a staff member tied so closely to his career development sends an even stronger message: they’re going all-in on maximizing his prime.
With LeBron James entering his 40s and a roster shaped to fit Doncic’s skill set, the Lakers are betting that the Slovenian star can be both their present and their future.
