As August approaches, the NBA enters a notable phase in the sports calendar: the 'muscle watch' season. This year, Luka Dončić has taken center stage in this discussion, particularly following a profile published by Men's Health. After a prolonged scrutiny of his physical condition following his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dončić has emerged looking the fittest he has in years, reminiscent of his early days as a rookie during the 2018-19 season. His transformation is attributed to significant dedication to both his training regimen and nutritional choices.

The profile details Dončić's commitment to an intense workout schedule that includes two daily sessions featuring weightlifting, agility drills, and shooting exercises in Croatia. Additionally, he adheres to a gluten-free and low-sugar diet, comprising at least 250 grams of protein each day along with a shake made from almond milk. The visible results of his hard work come just months after a challenging season with the Lakers that concluded in April. Should he maintain this level of performance through EuroBasket, where he will represent Slovenia, and into the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, Dončić may be poised to contend for his first Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

In terms of statistical measures, Dončić's box plus/minus (BPM) serves as an indicator of his influence on the court. A player achieving a BPM of over 8.0 is typically viewed as having an MVP-caliber season. Remarkably, Dončić has surpassed this benchmark in four out of his seven seasons in the NBA, attaining a career-high BPM of 9.9 during the 2023-24 season. Despite these impressive metrics, he has yet to secure a spot higher than third in MVP voting, a situation exacerbated by competing contemporaries like Nikola Jokić and his previous struggles with fitness. The Dallas Mavericks cited a perceived decrease in Dončić's commitment to fitness as part of their decision to trade him, a rationale they publicly promoted that may backfire. If he returns to the NBA showcasing an explosive athleticism similar to or greater than that of his early years while preserving the strategic aspects of his gameplay that he has honed over time, the coming season could feature Dončić's most dominant performance to date. His statistics from the 2023-24 season, where he averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists, underline this potential. In the postseason, he maintained averages of 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists, leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals at the age of 24. While injuries were a factor in limiting his availability in the 2024-25 season, and an unexpected trade to the Lakers sent shockwaves through the league, it is clear that Luka Dončić possesses the exceptional talent necessary to remind everyone of his capabilities. Moving forward, the challenges he has faced over the past year could ultimately refine his game and lead him to attain the MVP accolade he has yet to collect.