The NBA Sixth Man of the Year award is undergoing a profound transformation, reflecting the changing dynamics of the game. Traditionally dominated by prolific bench scorers such as Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams—who collectively secured the accolade six times—today's criteria are expanding beyond sheer point production.
Historically, half of the past 20 winners were leading bench scorers for their respective seasons. Yet, the recent victories by Malcolm Brogdon and Naz Reid signal a shift. Brogdon, who claimed the award in the 2022-23 season, finished merely fifth in bench scoring. Meanwhile, Reid defied expectations by clinching the award despite ranking 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times.
The Rise of Versatility
Naz Reid's victory marked a milestone, making him the third center in NBA history—and the third in the past two decades—after Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom to achieve this honor. His win underscores the evolving criteria where versatility and impact, rather than just scoring, are gaining recognition. This shift has sparked discussions on the changing landscape of the award.
One quote captures the essence of Reid’s situation: "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 underscores the unpredictable nature of such awards, which can be influenced heavily by team dynamics and unforeseen events.
New Contenders and Changing Odds
As the new season approaches, fresh faces and familiar names are emerging as potential nominees for the Sixth Man of the Year. Malik Monk currently stands with odds of +575, suggesting a strong chance to capture the award. Reid himself holds odds of +700, while Grayson Allen delivers a promising +1000.
In New York, Josh Hart remains a figure of intrigue. From February 1 through the end of last season, Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game, escalating to a staggering 46.4 minutes in the Knicks' first nine playoff games. His versatility on the court, however, might spread him too thin to focus on the Sixth Man role. As one observer noted, "Ultimately, I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York."
Hart himself humorously acknowledged his jack-of-all-trades role, joking on Twitter, "I am a 1-4, not a center," after news that Mitchell Robinson would miss the start of the season. The underlying sentiment is clear: "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything." Hart's multifaceted contributions can either be an asset or a hindrance, depending on how the season unfolds.
The Dallas Bench Dynamic
Turning to the Dallas Mavericks, the bench sees Jaden Hardy carving out playoff minutes in only his second year. Past performances by Tim Hardaway Jr. have also placed him in the conversation for Sixth Man votes while with Dallas. The Mavericks' bench depth offers fertile ground for future award candidates, further complicating the prediction landscape.
The evolving nature of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award is emblematic of a broader shift within the sport. As the game continues to grow and change, so too does the recognition of the players who excel within it. Versatility, adaptability, and impact are becoming the defining traits that drive these honors, proving that the game is as dynamic and unpredictable as ever.