The NBA MVP race is entering its final stretch with several candidates still in contention, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic. With the regular season nearing its conclusion, debates around value, team success, and individual impact have intensified across the league.
Former NBA star Tracy McGrady added a new dimension to that conversation during an appearance on the “Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady” show. McGrady questioned the traditional criteria used in MVP discussions and offered a different interpretation of what “most valuable” should mean.
“I’ve always said if you take a player off, I still think they’re a playoff team. I don’t think that’s most valuable to your team,” McGrady said. He then made a direct comparison involving Jaylen Brown and Gilgeous-Alexander. “Jaylen Brown is more valuable to his team than SGA is valuable to OKC.”
The comments arrive as Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Oklahoma City Thunder to the league’s best record, while Brown continues to anchor a strong season for the Boston Celtics. McGrady’s stance highlights an ongoing debate about whether MVPs should prioritize team dependency or overall production and success.
Tracy McGrady Questions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Value
GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
McGrady’s argument centered on team context and how a player’s absence would affect results. He suggested that Oklahoma City’s depth reduces Gilgeous-Alexander’s relative value in comparison to other stars.
“I’ve always said if you take a player off, I still think they’re a playoff team,” McGrady said, referring to teams like the Thunder. His point emphasized that value should reflect how much a team relies on a specific player to remain competitive.
Gilgeous-Alexander has delivered another elite season. He is averaging over 30 points per game while maintaining a shooting efficiency above 50%. He has also led Oklahoma City through injuries to key teammates, helping the Thunder secure the NBA’s best record at 64-16.
Despite that production, McGrady suggested that team strength plays a role in MVP evaluation. Oklahoma City’s balanced roster, featuring multiple All-Star and All-NBA contributors, has allowed the team to maintain a high level of performance across the season.
The debate reflects a broader question in MVP voting: whether the award should go to the best player on the best team or the player whose absence would most impact his team’s success.
Jaylen Brown, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic in MVP Context
GettyBoston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown
McGrady extended his argument by referencing other MVP candidates and their importance to their teams. He highlighted Victor Wembanyama as an example of a player whose absence would significantly alter his team’s identity.
“You take Wemby off, they’re a very different team,” McGrady said. The San Antonio Spurs have surged this season, with Wembanyama leading the league in blocks and anchoring both ends of the floor.
He also pointed to Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers, suggesting that the presence of LeBron James could mitigate Doncic’s absence. “If you take Luka off, I still think LeBron can get them to the playoffs,” McGrady said.
Similarly, McGrady mentioned Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, noting that players like Jamal Murray could still keep the team competitive.
Brown’s inclusion in the conversation reflects his expanded role in Boston. He has taken on increased offensive responsibility while maintaining defensive impact, helping the Celtics remain among the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
As the regular season concludes, the MVP race remains open. McGrady’s comments underscore the different interpretations of value that voters must weigh, ranging from individual statistics and team success to the extent to which a player’s presence is relied on.
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