As August approaches, the NBA draws attention to player conditioning, famously referred to as 'muscle watch' season. This year, Luka Dončić entered the conversation with the assistance of Men's Health, generating considerable buzz. Following scrutiny of his physique following his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dončić has emerged looking more fit than he has in years. His current form echoes the dominance he displayed during his rookie season in 2018-19. This transformation is attributed to a diligent commitment to both his workouts and dietary regimen.

According to a recent profile, Dončić has been engaging in rigorous two-a-day workouts that incorporate weight lifting, agility drills, and shooting practice in Croatia. Alongside this, he has adopted a gluten-free, low-sugar diet that includes a substantial intake of protein and one almond milk-shake daily. The results of this commitment became apparent just months after his abbreviated season with the Lakers concluded in April. If Dončić continues on this trajectory through EuroBasket, where he will represent Slovenia, and into the 2025-26 NBA season, he may finally achieve the elusive MVP award.

Dončić's performance metrics, such as the Box Plus/Minus (BPM) statistic, further underscore his impact on the game. The BPM is a box score-based metric that estimates a player's contribution while on the court, with a score above 8.0 typically indicating an MVP-caliber season. Notably, Dončić has surpassed this mark in four out of his seven NBA seasons, achieving a career-high BPM of 9.9 during the 2023-24 season. Despite consistently high performance, he has yet to finish higher than third in MVP voting, a situation partly attributed to playing contemporaneously with Nikola Jokić. Additionally, perceptions of his fitness level may have affected his standing, particularly following the Dallas Mavericks' decision to trade him. Should Dončić return to the NBA with a level of explosiveness reminiscent of his earlier seasons—if not enhanced—while maintaining the refined skill set he has developed, fans may witness the most dominant season of his career.

During the 2023-24 season, Dončić averaged an impressive 33.9 points, along with 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds, 4.1 threes, and 1.4 steals per game. He demonstrated remarkable accuracy, shooting 57.3 percent on two-pointers and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. In the postseason, he maintained strong averages of 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists, leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals at just 24 years of age. His career trajectory appeared to continue on an upward trend until injuries impacted his availability in the following season. In February, it was revealed that the Mavericks were distancing themselves from Dončić's role as a franchise cornerstone, culminating in a surprising trade that sent him to Los Angeles. This exchange involved the departure of a historically significant offensive player for Anthony Davis, who is past his prime, alongside a first-round draft pick and a promising wing in Max Christie.

While the Mavericks' management framed the trade as a win-now approach focused on enhancing defensive capabilities, the outcome may very well serve as motivation for Dončić to showcase his exemplary talent. Achieving a scoring average of 30.0 points, along with 8.8 rebounds and 8.7 assists over six seasons is no accident; it denotes an extraordinary level of skill. However, such talent does not automatically equate to MVP awards or championships, as history indicates the necessity of overcoming adversity to reach these heights. For Michael Jordan, it was battling the 'Jordan Rules' defense of the Detroit Pistons in the late 1980s. Similarly, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were motivated by their competitive rivalry. LeBron James had to endure struggles before finally clinching a championship in 2012 after facing setbacks in the 2011 Finals. For Dončić, the last 12 months, characterized by a loss in the Finals to the Boston Celtics and a surprising trade to the Lakers, could ultimately refine him into the player capable of clinching his first MVP award.