The Sixth Man of the Year award has historically been given to the leading bench scorer, but last season’s winner, Malcolm Brogdon, proved that scoring alone is not the only criteria. Other qualities like efficiency, playmaking, and defense also matter. With that in mind, here are some trends to consider:
- The winner is usually on a top-four seed team.
- Age tends to skew older with experienced veterans accepting bench roles.
- The award is predominantly won by guards.
Based on these trends, Malik Monk and Luke Kennard are the top picks for NBA Sixth Man of the Year:
The Favorites
Malik Monk (+1200) is expected to be a high-scoring bench player for the Kings this season. With increased trust from the coaching staff, his numbers are likely to go up. He averaged a career-high 21.8 points per 36 minutes last season.
Luke Kennard (+5000) showed promise with the Grizzlies last season, shooting 54% from deep and having a positive impact on their offense. With the departure of key players, Kennard will have more opportunities to make an impact.
The Middle of the Pack
Players in this range include Immanuel Quickley, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Christian Wood, Rui Hachimura, and Gary Trent Jr. Among them, Quickley, Hart, and Wood have the potential to emerge as strong candidates.
The Longshots
Players with odds of +3001 or higher include Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Bruce Brown, and Jeff Green, among others. While their chances might be slim, the opportunities and playing time available to them could make a difference.
Ultimately, the Sixth Man of the Year award is not solely based on scoring. Factors such as team success, impact on the game, and narrative appeal also play a role in the voting process. Keep an eye on these players throughout the season to see how they perform.
