JJ Redick bemoans Austin Reaves’ Most Improved Player award chances: “I hate that award”

JJ Redick pointed out Austin Reaves' monumental improvements as a player on both ends of the floor this season.

JJ Redick bemoans Austin Reaves’ Most Improved Player award chances: “I hate that award”

JJ Redick, Austin Reaves

When it comes to Lakers basketball, there aren’t many developments that can go unnoticed by the NBA world. They are at the epicenter of all that happens around the league, and in LeBron James, they have the epicenter on the players’ side as well. Anything that the team does invites extra scrutiny and credit. Even so, JJ Redick feels that a player like Austin Reaves has gone under the radar in the awards race.

The Most Improved Player award is usually given to players making unprecedented, unforeseen leaps with their game. However, the tradition has suffered some breaks in the recent past. The likes of Brandon Ingram and Ja Morant, who were both second overall picks, have both been voted to win MIP honors. This throws the question of the legitimacy of the phrasing of the award into question. Redick is certainly in no mood to let the opportunity to let his grievances about the award be known to fans.

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Speaking to reporters on a rare practice day, Redick let ESPN’s Dave McMenamin know his thoughts on MIP honors. According to him, the NBA has needlessly thrown the definition of the award up in the air. He spoke thus

I hate that award. They’ve failed to define it, and I think the spirit of it has been taken out of wack. I don’t like that award. Just call it the ‘high draft pick, got a max contract, now has an All-Star’ award. Just call it that. That’s what it has become.

JJ Redick lamented

Redick then went on to point out Austin Reaves’ monumental improvements as a player on both ends of the floor. Reaves started the season on a low note defensively, but has become a redoubtable offensive force since December. He’s seized the opportunity to be featured over D’Angelo Russell with both hands. Reaves’ playmaking and ball-handling, in particular, have seen visible improvements during his 2024-25 play.

Reaves is currently averaging 19.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He has been the model of consistency for a team that saw Anthony Davis, and later James go on injury-enforced absences. The Lakers were even able to win games by starting him in the absence of Luka Doncic and James.

Austin Reaves will be the X-Factor for JJ Redick in the playoffs

Having three on-ball creators who could power a playoff offense is a humongous advantage that JJ Redick will have. LeBron James alluded to this same advantage on his “Mind the Game” podcast episode with co-host Steve Nash. Most teams will only have two great perimeter defenders against James and Doncic, leaving Reaves with the opportunity to get things going for himself, or set the table for others.

Reaves has proven to be capable of hanging with some of the best NBA offenses in the regular season. The Arkansas-born player ran the Denver Nuggets mighty close in the two teams’ recent faceoff without James and Doncic. He has the ability to score from all three ranges, and can force defenders onto the back foot by baiting them into fouls.

Redick can expect Doncic and James to contribute at least 55 points per game in the playoffs between the two of them. If Austin Reaves can help them with his regular season average of 20 ppg, the Lakers will be a tough out for any Western Conference playoff team. Their offense has been irresistible in the two months since trading for Doncic.