As August approaches, the NBA enters its peak 'muscle watch' season, drawing attention to player conditioning and transformations. Notably, Luka Dončić has caught the spotlight this week, thanks in part to a feature from Men's Health. Recently, following months of scrutiny regarding his physique, especially after his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dončić appears to have undergone a significant transformation, looking as lean and fit as he has in several years – reminiscent of his rookie form during the 2018-19 season. His commitment to a rigorous workout regimen and disciplined diet has been integral to this change.

According to the profile, Dončić is engaging in two-a-day workout sessions in Croatia, incorporating weightlifting, agility drills, and shooting practice into his routine. Additionally, he adheres to a gluten-free, low-sugar diet that includes substantial protein intake, featuring at least 250 grams of protein along with a daily almond milk shake. The results of this dedicated approach are apparent, and should he maintain his fitness through EuroBasket, where he is set to represent Slovenia, he may be in a prime position to contend for his first MVP award in the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.

The box plus/minus (BPM) statistic, which estimates a player's contributions to their team while on the court, serves as a useful metric in evaluating Dončić's performance. An MVP-caliber season is characterized by a BPM of over 8.0, a threshold that Dončić has surpassed in four of his seven NBA seasons, achieving a career-high BPM of 9.9 during the 2023-24 season. Despite his impressive statistics, including a season average of 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds, Dončić has yet to finish higher than third in MVP voting. Competing alongside fellow superstar Nikola Jokić has undeniably impacted his recognition, and the criticism regarding his fitness may have influenced the Dallas Mavericks' decision to trade him. The Mavericks' willingness to openly discuss his perceived lack of dedication to conditioning could backfire. Should Dončić return to the NBA exhibiting the same explosive abilities of his early seasons, and possibly even an elevated performance level, he could be poised for what might be his most dominant season yet.

In the 2023-24 season, during which he recorded the aforementioned BPM, Dončić was a standout performer, averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game, with shooting percentages of 57.3% on two-point attempts and 38.2% from beyond the arc. In the subsequent postseason, he maintained impressive averages, contributing 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists as he led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals at just 24 years old. Despite an upward trajectory in both his career and his partnership with the Mavericks, injury issues limited his on-court presence in the 2024-25 season. Additionally, a shocking mid-season trade saw him move to the Los Angeles Lakers in a transaction that raised eyebrows across the league. This trade involved the Mavericks receiving Anthony Davis, a player who has faced his share of injury challenges, along with a modest draft pick and a promising young talent, Max Christie. The Mavericks’ management framed this move as a step towards a more defense-oriented approach aimed at immediate contention, yet it appears more likely that it will serve to motivate Dončić to demonstrate his immense talent and capability on the court. Great athletes like Dončić do not achieve their status by chance; they possess extraordinary skills, as evidenced by his averages of 30.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists over the last six NBA seasons since the start of the 2019-20 season. However, achieving individual accolades or team championships often requires overcoming adversity. Historical examples include Michael Jordan facing the Detroit Pistons' 'Jordan Rules,' Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's rivalry, and LeBron James’s journey following the 2011 Finals loss.

For Dončić, the past year, highlighted by his Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, the surprising trade to the Lakers, and the ongoing narratives around it, could serve as the catalyst for his evolution into a more refined player. This new phase in his career may indeed pave the way for his first MVP award, marking a significant milestone in his already impressive journey.