In the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, the criteria for the Sixth Man of the Year award are experiencing a seismic shift. Historically, this accolade has been dominated by prolific bench scorers like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who collectively clinched the title six times. In fact, half of the past 20 winners were the season's leading bench scorers. But recent seasons have shown a departure from this trend, signaling a broader evaluation of what it means to be an impactful sixth man.
The 2022-23 season saw Malcolm Brogdon take home the Sixth Man of the Year award, despite finishing fifth in bench scoring. This shift away from purely offensive metrics continued with Naz Reid's surprising win. Reid ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times, yet his overall impact on the game earned him the prestigious honor. Reid’s victory also marked a significant milestone as he became only the third center in NBA history to secure the award, joining the ranks of Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom from the past two decades.
The New Era of the Sixth Man
Naz Reid’s rise to prominence has generated much discussion about the evolving parameters of the Sixth Man of the Year award. As one analyst noted, "For Reid to win again, you're relying on either Rudy Gobert or Karl-Anthony Towns to get injured again, for Reid to thrive again, and for the field to be as weak or weaker than it was a year ago." This quote underscores the many variables that can influence a bench player's impact and highlights the increasing complexity of predicting future award winners.
This trend towards recognizing versatile and impactful performances beyond just scoring is seen in other players as well. Josh Hart, for example, averaged just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of the last season and then ramped it up to an astonishing 46.4 minutes per game in New York's first nine playoff games. This kind of stamina and utility is becoming more valued in the Sixth Man race, though some analysts remain skeptical. "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York," said one commentator, pointing to the competition for playing time in a star-studded roster.
Shifting Bets and Contenders
With the landscape changing, the odds for potential Sixth Man winners are also shifting. Malik Monk currently has odds of +575, making him a strong contender for the award. Naz Reid, off his recent win, holds odds of +700, while Grayson Allen stands at +1000. The Mavericks' Jaden Hardy also draws attention, having earned crucial playoff minutes in just his second year. Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr., who has historically garnered Sixth Man votes in Dallas, remains in the conversation.
Hart’s situation adds an interesting dimension to this discussion. With Mitchell Robinson not ready for the start of the season, Hart himself acknowledged his diverse role by quipping on Twitter that he is a "1-4, not a center." Yet, as another analyst wryly put it, "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything." This flexibility and willingness to perform various roles are qualities increasingly sought after in a Sixth Man.
The Future of Sixth Man Selections
As the NBA continues to evolve, so do the metrics and methodologies for evaluating its players. The Sixth Man of the Year award is no longer exclusively the domain of high-scoring bench players. Versatility, defensive prowess, and the ability to fill in multiple roles are becoming key factors in the selection process. Analyzing the trends and performances of recent winners like Malcolm Brogdon and Naz Reid, it is clear that the criteria for this award will continue to broaden. The coming seasons promise to reveal even more about what truly defines the NBA's best sixth man.