How the Thunder can get Russell Westbrook and Paul George more help

The NBA announced the finalists for 2023-24 Most Valuable Player. The finalists are Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

Jokic is a two-time MVP, having been honored for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Jokic was the MVP runner-up to Joel Embiid for the 2022-23 season.

This is the first time Doncic or Gilgeous-Alexander have been finalists for MVP.

Stephen Curry said that he doesn’t want the Golden State Warriors to make desperate trades and mortgage the future at the upcoming trade deadline.

“Desperate trades or desperate moves that deplete the future, there is a responsibility on allowing or keeping the franchise in a good space and good spot when it comes to where we leave this thing when we’re done.

“Doesn’t mean that you’re not trying to get better … nobody wants to be stale or be in a situation where you’re passing up opportunities. But it doesn’t mean that you’re desperate just flinging assets all around the place just because you want to do something,” said Curry.

The Warriors are reportedly no longer in Jimmy Butler trade discussions and are instead linked with Nikola Vucevic.

Curry reiterated that while he and Draymond Green continue to get older, he doesn’t want the team to make a panic trade.

“While we understand we’re getting older and deeper into our careers and allowing some of the young guys to kind of blossom, it doesn’t mean you’re getting desperate,” added Curry.

Steve Kerr said earlier in January that the team is taking its time to assess the roster before making any deals.