Nikola Jokić slims down in Serbia practice video, leanest in 3 years

Nikola Jokić just dropped visual proof he’s back in shape.

A practice clip from Serbia shows Nikola Jokić in training gear, looking the leanest he’s been in three years. The footage, posted over the weekend, captures Jokić moving through drills without the extra bulk that marked parts of last season. His arms and torso appear tighter, and the movement looks smoother than in recent months.

Jokić’s body composition has shifted before. After the 2023 playoffs he leaned out for the stretch run, then added weight in the offseason before tipping into 2024 at a heavier frame. This latest clip suggests a repeat of that pattern-slimming down mid-offseason to rebuild endurance and quickness. The difference now is the clarity of the footage and the direct comparison to his broader physique over the past three years.

Jokić’s weight has been a talking point since the Nuggets’ second-round exit in June. At 285 pounds last season, he carried extra mass that slowed his lateral recovery and endurance in tight games. A leaner frame could restore the stamina that once let him dominate in the fourth quarter. Denver’s front office has emphasized conditioning this summer, and Jokić’s own social posts have highlighted daily runs and core work.

The Nuggets open training camp in late September. Jokić is expected to report at his usual weight target-around 275 pounds-before camp begins. If the Serbia video is any sign, he’s already trending in the right direction. The Nuggets will watch closely as he ramps up full-contact drills in the coming weeks.