In July, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham made a bold prediction regarding Austin Reaves, the undrafted free agent from 2020. This came shortly after Reaves signed a lucrative $56 million contract following an impressive second NBA season. Ham declared, “I’m putting it on record right now: Austin Reaves will be an All-Star at some point soon.”

Although Reaves hasn’t achieved All-Star status yet, he is proving to be an unselfish and versatile contributor. His focus is on enhancing the quality of shots for the Lakers, rather than his individual statistics. With a wealth of offensive talent surrounding LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Reaves has emphasized the team’s commitment to passing up good shots for great ones. It raises an intriguing question: as Reaves continues to improve, what happens when a “good” shot for him becomes more advantageous than a “great” one for a teammate? How effectively can Reaves balance his individual performance with team dynamics, especially in the highly competitive Western Conference?

As he enters his third year in the league, Reaves is considered a top contender for his first individual NBA award: Most Improved Player. Currently, he has the sixth-best odds (+1600) to win the award according to FanDuel, trailing players like Mikal Bridges and Tyrese Haliburton, among others. In a preseason media poll by ClutchPoints, Reaves was the most commonly selected player to win MIP.

Predicting the Most Improved Player is inherently challenging, as it typically goes to someone who exceeds expectations, often in an unexpected manner. However, there are compelling reasons why Reaves is a prime candidate for the honor, which is now named after George Mikan, ironically, despite the Lakers’ rich history.

Reaves played a crucial role in the Lakers’ journey to the conference finals, where he emerged as a lead playmaker. His exceptional shooting, ability to draw fouls, and talent for creating critical shots were key factors. From the beginning of the season to the All-Star break, he averaged 10.5 points and 2.2 assists, with impressive shooting percentages. Following the All-Star break through the regular season’s end, his numbers significantly improved, reaching 17.6 points and 5.5 assists with even more remarkable shooting efficiency. Notably, he continued his impressive performance in the playoffs, contributing 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while guarding prominent players like Desmond Bane, Steph Curry, and Jamal Murray. LeBron James frequently entrusted Reaves with the ball in crucial moments.

Reaves’ momentum carried into the summer as he secured a four-year deal in free agency, introduced his signature sneaker on a lucrative deal that quickly sold out, and became one of Team USA’s most reliable and popular players in the FIBA World Cup. He is no longer an unheralded or overlooked player; he has become a prominent face of the Lakers.

In theory, Reaves’ ascent could work against his case for Most Improved Player since he has already established himself as a borderline star and a valuable third option on a championship contender. However, his widespread exposure and popularity will work in his favor. Reaves is slated to play numerous games on national TV, he possesses a flair for dramatic and viral moments, and he has gained a significant following among fans. With heightened expectations and attention, he will be closely observed as one of the league’s rising stars.

Despite his rapid rise, Reaves remains highly motivated and determined to continue his journey to success.

“That hunger is for sure still there,” Reaves recently told ClutchPoints. “I think that underdog chip, for me, it’ll never go away, regardless of how high it goes. I genuinely believe that — there’s always people that doubt but — there’s a majority of people that still doubt what I’m doing. I think a lot of people think it’s maybe situations that occur and then go away.

“People have told me, a lot of people try to compare it to the Jeremy Lin situation. For me, that’s the stuff that keeps me wanting to get better. And that’s the reason I’ve gotten to where I am. I’ve said many times I want to be able to, when I’m done, just look back and tell everybody to f*ck off.”

Awards in the NBA are often heavily influenced by statistical performance. In the 2022-23 season, Austin Reaves posted impressive averages of 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, shooting at .529/.398/.864 splits, with a usage percentage of 15.2. Notably, the Lakers are reportedly planning to build upon this foundation and make him a central figure in their offensive strategy. While many of Reaves’ contributions are best appreciated through the eye test, such as his tenacious defense, timely passing, and smart positioning, it is expected that his statistical output will see significant growth across the board.

If Reaves can elevate his numbers to approximately 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, maintain All-Star-worthy performance, and achieve the coveted 50/40/90 shooting efficiency, especially while demonstrating an increasingly diverse set of skills, he will undoubtedly enter the conversation for accolades and recognition. This will be especially true if he plays a pivotal role in helping the Lakers secure a top-four seed and achieve more than 50 wins, particularly when LeBron James or Anthony Davis are absent.

However, beyond individual honors, Reaves and the Lakers have a more significant goal in mind. As his brother, Spencer, explains, Austin is driven by a desire to be the best player he can possibly be. He has a deep passion for the game and thrives on competition. While he is more than capable of excelling in a larger role, Reaves remains focused on the team’s ultimate objective. Winning an NBA championship is his true aspiration, and personal accolades like All-Star selections will not divert his dedication to that overarching team goal.