The landscape of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award is undergoing a transformative period, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the league. Traditionally, the accolade has been dominated by prolific bench scorers such as Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who together accrued the award six times. Indeed, half of the past 20 winners were the season's leading scorers off the bench. However, recent trends suggest a shift in the criteria that voters are considering.
This shift became notably evident with the crowning of Malcolm Brogdon as the Sixth Man of the Year for the 2022-23 season, despite him finishing fifth in bench scoring. More astonishingly, Naz Reid recently claimed the award while ranking 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times. Reid’s achievement is particularly significant as he is only the third center in NBA history to win the award, joining the ranks of Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom in the past two decades.
Changing Dynamics
For Reid, the road to this accolade wasn't merely paved by his statistical performance, but also by the circumstances surrounding his team. As one analyst pointed out, "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." Reid’s recognition signifies a broader understanding and appreciation of a player's overall impact on the game and their team's success, beyond just points per game.
Even with the dynamic changes in voting criteria, consistency and versatility still find ways to shine through. Consider Josh Hart, who not only averaged just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season but also clocked an astounding 46.4 minutes per game during New York’s first nine playoff games. His anecdotal adaptability was humorously underlined when he quipped on Twitter, "I am a 1-4, not a center," in response to news concerning Mitchell Robinson’s unavailability for the season's start. The pragmatism of Knicks' head coach Tom Thibodeau, however, means Hart might still find himself filling various roles on the court: "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything," one insider noted.
Future Contenders
Looking ahead, several potential candidates have emerged for the coming season's Sixth Man award. Malik Monk is currently a favorite with odds of +575, followed closely by Naz Reid at +700, and Grayson Allen at +1000. Young talents like Jaden Hardy, who earned playoff minutes in just his second year with the Mavericks, also highlight the pool of rising stars who could contend for the title in the future. Meanwhile, veterans such as Tim Hardaway Jr. continue to make their case; he has historically garnered Sixth Man votes during his tenure in Dallas.
The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award is increasingly reflecting the league's broader tendencies — valuing versatile contributors who can impact various facets of the game, more so than just scoring. As the criteria and considerations evolve, so too does the profile of the ideal Sixth Man, elevating players who embody adaptability, team play, and situational effectiveness.
This shift not only honors the legacy of past winners but also paves the way for a diverse array of future honorees who may redefine what it means to be the NBA's best sixth man. As the league continues to evolve, so too will the intricacies and nuances of this prestigious award, ensuring it remains one of the most fascinating accolades in basketball.