As the 2024-25 NBA regular season draws to a close, the race for the league’s end-of-season awards is intensifying. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are engaged in a fierce battle for the MVP award, while many have tipped Stephon Castle for Rookie of the Year. Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham and Dyson Daniels are among the contenders for the Most Improved Player (MIP) award, with Austin Reaves also in the mix.
Reaves, who has emerged as a legitimate 20-point-per-game scorer and a key third star alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the Los Angeles Lakers, has been a breakout player this season. However, head coach JJ Redick has dismissed the notion of Reaves winning the MIP award, citing his strong distaste for the award itself.
When asked about Reaves’ potential candidacy, Redick expressed frustration with the MIP award’s current structure, claiming that the NBA has “failed to define it.” He added that his criticism had nothing to do with Reaves’ abilities.
“I think the spirit of it has been taken out of whack. I don’t like that award,” Redick said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Just call it the ‘high draft pick that is on a max contract and now is an All-Star.’ Just call it that award. Who’s that guy? That’s what it’s become.”
