DENVER — When it comes to gifts, Nikola Jokic is a man of simple tastes. He doesn’t want much, and he didn’t receive much on Wednesday when he begrudgingly celebrated his 30th birthday.

But he did appreciate the tea collection he got from one of the Nuggets’ new team security officials. The reigning MVP has been known to occasionally request a cup of tea in the locker room.

“I like to drink tea,” Jokic said simply.

Denver’s most decorated athlete is showing no signs of a looming decline as he enters his 30s. His candidacy for a fourth MVP trophy is being threatened by Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — the current front-runner, according to ESPN’s latest “straw poll” of prospective voters. But statistically, this is Jokic’s finest season, regardless of whether he ends up securing the hardware to show for it.

He is averaging 29.7 points (third in the league), 12.7 rebounds (third), 10.2 assists (second) and 1.8 steals (fourth) going into Denver’s clash with the Lakers on Saturday. Only Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson have averaged a triple-double over the course of an entire season.

“He’s playing the best basketball of his life,” coach Michael Malone said, agreeing with Jokic’s own recent assessment.

The Nuggets celebrated the landmark birthday with a serenade and cupcakes after they practiced for the first time since the All-Star break. Then Jokic spoke with local reporters, getting peppered with questions about his 30th. He volleyed each and every one of them with the perfunctory skill of someone who’s been mastering not only basketball, but his media persona, for a full decade now.

Do you feel any wiser at 30?

“I don’t know. I don’t even think about it, so I don’t know.”

If there’s one thing you could change about this team (a birthday wish, perhaps), what would it be?

“I wish we were all shooting 100 percent from the field.”

What are your plans to celebrate?

“Nothing. I don’t like my birthday.”

Why?

“I’m getting older.”

And better at basketball, still?

“Like wine.”

His answers were dry as a Sauvignon Blanc as if to emphasize his distaste for the topic. It was vintage Jokic. Somehow, though, his reticent responses also grew poignantly honest.

When you were a teenager, did you think this would be what 30 looks like?

“I don’t know. I really don’t want to think about it, because it makes me feel sad.”

Why?

“I’m getting older,” he repeated. “I’m not young anymore.”

Aren’t we all?

“You definitely are. You guys are dinosaurs.”

Jokic has never put an expiration date on his career. But last season, he offered some insight into his mindset about how long he wants to play professional basketball, saying that “I’m not gonna take a spot from some young guys or put the franchise down” and that he hopes to compete “as long as I can play on the highest level and help the team.”

How long could that be? Malone thinks Jokic has a chance to age more gracefully than other Hall of Famers.

“I think the really important thing when you consider that question is this: How does Nikola dominate the game?” the 10th-year Nuggets coach said. “The way he dominates the game is with intelligence and skill. Not athleticism. … Your mind and your skill level are not going to deteriorate. He’s not driving down the lane and dunking on people every night. So, I think that bodes well for his longevity. I think he’ll be able to play at a high level for a really long time as long as he wants to continue to play this game.”

There are still milestones Jokic hasn’t achieved in a career that will likely be remembered as the golden era of Nuggets history — breakthroughs as simple as a 10-game win streak, which Denver has an opportunity to obtain Saturday, and as monumental as Westbrook’s triple-doubles records (42 for a single season, 202 for a career). Jokic joked with Westbrook after Wednesday’s practice that he’s looking forward to catching the point guard.

The running total as of Jokic’s 30th birthday: 25 this season, 155 in his career (regular-season only). He was one assist short of another in Denver’s return from the break Thursday night.

After scoring 29 points in that game, Jokic enjoyed the idea that his stat line was an act of rebellion against his age.

Among the questions he’d been asked the previous day was: Are you prepared to be old and washed up?

“I’m gonna be young in my mind,” Jokic said.

Does that mean you’re going to play a long time?

“Yes.”

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