As August approaches, the NBA enters what fans often refer to as 'muscle watch' season, a time when athlete conditioning becomes a focal point for discussions among analysts and fans alike. This week, Luka Dončić contributed to these discussions with insights from a recent profile in Men's Health, igniting notable excitement in the basketball community. Following a tumultuous period that included a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dončić appears to have undergone a significant physical transformation, presenting a more sculpted physique reminiscent of his earlier playing days, particularly his rookie season in 2018-19.

The strides Luka has made are the product of a dedicated regimen encompassing both rigorous workouts and a stringent diet. The profile highlights that he is participating in two-a-day training sessions in Croatia, blending weightlifting, agility drills, and shooting exercises. Complementing his workouts, Dončić has also adopted a gluten-free, low-sugar diet that emphasizes protein intake—reportedly including 250 grams of protein daily along with an almond milk shake. The physical changes are noticeable, and if he maintains this form through EuroBasket, where he will represent Slovenia, and into the 2025-26 NBA season, he could potentially position himself to earn his first MVP award.

Using box plus/minus (BPM)—a metric assessing a player's contribution when on-court—Dončić consistently exceeds the 8.0 mark, considered indicative of an MVP-like season. Record-wise, he surpassed this threshold in four of his seven seasons in the NBA, achieving a career-high BPM of 9.9 during the 2023-24 season. Despite these impressive statistics, he has yet to place higher than third in MVP voting, a factor influenced significantly by the presence of Nikola Jokić. Additionally, perceived fitness issues have hampered his candidacy; the Dallas Mavericks indicated that his physical condition played a role in their decision to trade him, an act that could have unintended consequences. Should Dončić return to the league possessing the explosive abilities evident during his early career, and simultaneously enhance the finer aspects of his game, fans and analysts could witness what may be his most impressive season to date.

During the 2023-24 season, Luka averaged 33.9 points—a league-leading figure—alongside 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds, and solid shooting percentages of 57.3% on two-point attempts and 38.2% from beyond the arc. Following a postseason where he averaged 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists, Dončić led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals at the age of 24. While the trajectory of his career reflected upward potential, injuries during the 2024-25 season limited his contributions. Additionally, a surprising trade in February shifted the franchise's direction when it dealt Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis—who, while a valuable player, has struggled with injuries—along with a first-round draft pick and young forward Max Christie. Dallas general manager Nico Harrison portrayed the transaction as a means to bolster immediate title contention through a defensive-first approach; however, it is more probable that the move has reinvigorated Dončić to showcase just how exceptional he remains.

Star athletes like Dončić do not attain success without considerable effort and skill, and his career averages of 30.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists over the last six seasons attest to this fact. Nevertheless, exceptional individual performance doesn't automatically result in MVP accolades or championship victories; often, adversity plays a crucial role in refining athletes. For instance, Michael Jordan faced the formidable 'Jordan Rules' of the Detroit Pistons, while Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were motivated by their rivalry. Similarly, LeBron James had to endure setbacks in the 2011 Finals before securing his first championship in 2012. For Luka Dončić, the past year—marked by a Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, the notable trade to Los Angeles, and Dallas's explanations around it—may serve as a crucible, ultimately refining him into a player capable of claiming his first MVP accolade.