Tracy McGrady Backs Celtics' Jaylen Brown for NBA MVP

Former NBA star believes Brown deserves award over favorites like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic

Feb. 8, 2026 at 12:23pm

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Former NBA player Tracy McGrady believes Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown should be the NBA MVP this season, despite Brown trailing several international stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic in MVP odds. McGrady argues that Brown's performance in leading the Celtics to the second seed in the Eastern Conference despite significant roster turnover and injuries to key players makes his case stand out.

Why it matters

The NBA MVP race has been dominated by international stars in recent years, with the last American-born player to win the award being James Harden in 2019. McGrady's strong endorsement of Brown's candidacy challenges this trend and highlights how a player's ability to elevate their team in the face of adversity should be a key factor in MVP voting.

The details

Brown is currently averaging around 28-29 points per game for the Celtics, who are second in the Eastern Conference despite losing key players like Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis. McGrady believes Brown's performance in carrying the team in the face of these roster changes is more impressive than the stability enjoyed by favorites like Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic.

  • The NBA season is nearing the All-Star break and the final stretch run.
  • Brown's MVP candidacy will likely receive increased attention in the coming weeks.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star wing player for the Boston Celtics who is leading the team in scoring and helping them remain near the top of the Eastern Conference despite significant roster turnover.

Tracy McGrady

A former NBA player who is now a basketball analyst and commentator, and who has strongly endorsed Jaylen Brown's case for NBA MVP this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A rising star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who is currently one of the favorites to win the NBA MVP award.

Nikola Jokic

The reigning two-time NBA MVP who plays for the Denver Nuggets and is again among the favorites to win the award this season.

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What they’re saying

“Jaylen Brown is the MVP. When you look at Shai, Jokic, these guys have their core group. You look at JB, Horford is gone, JT is out, Jrue Holiday is gone, Porzingis is gone. That's four of their starters. They're second in the Eastern Conference. He's averaging 28, 29 points. I have to give credit on how he's playing because of what he's lost.”

— Tracy McGrady, Former NBA Player (heavy.com)

What’s next

With the NBA All-Star break approaching, Jaylen Brown's MVP case will likely receive increased scrutiny and attention from media and fans. The final weeks of the regular season will be crucial in determining whether he can overtake the current favorites and win the award.

The takeaway

Tracy McGrady's strong endorsement of Jaylen Brown for NBA MVP highlights how a player's ability to elevate their team in the face of adversity should be a key factor in the voting. Brown's performance in leading the Celtics to the second seed in the East despite significant roster turnover makes a compelling case, even as international stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic remain the favorites.