As August approaches, the NBA community shifts its focus to what has become known as 'muscle watch' season. Recently, Luka Dončić, with assistance from Men's Health, has significantly contributed to this discussion. Following a period of scrutiny surrounding his physical conditioning after his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dončić appears to be in the best shape of his career, resembling the player who impressed during his rookie season in 2018-19. His remarkable transformation can be attributed to a dedicated regimen that emphasizes both workouts and nutrition.

According to a recent profile, Dončić has embraced a rigorous training schedule in Croatia, encompassing two daily workouts that combine weight training, agility drills, and shooting practice. His dietary choices also reflect his commitment to fitness, adhering to a gluten-free, low-sugar plan that includes an impressive 250 grams of protein daily, complemented by a shake made with almond milk. The evident results of this commitment come shortly after his first abbreviated season with the Lakers, which concluded in April.

If Dončić maintains his current level of performance through the EuroBasket tournament, where he will represent Slovenia, and continues into the 2025-26 NBA season, he may finally secure his first MVP award. The box plus/minus (BPM) metric, which assesses a player's impact on their team's performance while they are on the court, provides a statistical basis for this potential. A BPM over 8.0 signifies an MVP-caliber season, and Dončić has surpassed this threshold in four of his seven NBA seasons, achieving a career-high BPM of 9.9 in 2023-24. Despite averaging 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds, 4.1 three-pointers, 1.4 steals, and an astounding 33.9 points per game last season, he has yet to surpass third in the MVP voting, largely due to competing against highly regarded players like Nikola Jokić.

The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to move Dončić was publicly motivated by concerns regarding his fitness, a narrative that may have consequences for the organization. If Dončić returns to the court exhibiting the explosiveness reminiscent of his early NBA days—perhaps even with enhanced athleticism—while retaining the refined aspects of his game developed over the course of his career, fans could witness the most dominant season of Dončić's tenure. In 2023-24, he made headlines by averaging remarkable statistics, leading his team to the NBA Finals at just 24 years old.

However, injuries hindered his performance in the 2024-25 season, and in February, the Mavericks’ surprising trade seemingly indicated a departure from their faith in him as a cornerstone of the franchise. This trade involved the exchange of Dončić for Anthony Davis, who has faced injury struggles, along with a first-round draft pick and promising forward Max Christie. The rationale provided by the Mavericks’ front office highlighted a shift towards a defense-first strategy, but the reaction to the trade has raised questions regarding its potential to motivate Dončić to demonstrate his true capabilities.

Athletes of Luka Dončić's caliber do not achieve success by coincidence, as evidenced by his impressive averages of 30.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists over six NBA seasons. However, the path to securing MVPs and championships often requires overcoming adversity, a challenge faced by icons such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James. Dončić's recent experiences—including a finals loss, a significant trade, and the subsequent fallout—may serve as catalysts for his evolution into a formidable player, potentially culminating in his first MVP award.