The NBA Sixth Man of the Year award is undergoing a dramatic transformation in its voting and criteria. Historically, this accolade has been dominated by prolific scorers off the bench like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who together won the award six times. These players typified the classic profile of a Sixth Man—explosive offense and the ability to change the game single-handedly by pouring in points during crucial stretches.
Interestingly, half of the past 20 winners were the leading bench scorers for their respective seasons. This underscores the traditional emphasis on scoring prowess. However, recent trends indicate the award is no longer exclusively reserved for the most prolific bench scorers.
Malcolm Brogdon and Naz Reid: Breaking the Mold
The 2022-23 season saw Malcolm Brogdon win the award despite finishing fifth in bench scoring. This raised eyebrows among those accustomed to seeing the highest-scoring players bagging the honor. Yet, it was the victory of Naz Reid that truly highlighted the shift. Reid, the third center in NBA history to win the award alongside Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom, secured the title despite ranking 12th in bench scoring among players who appeared off the bench at least 30 times. His win signified a growing appreciation for versatility and effectiveness in varied roles.
Reid's win sparked debates about his unique circumstances, with one observer noting, "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 candid reflection underscores the uncertainty and changing dynamics that now characterize the competition for this prestigious award.
Josh Hart and the Influence of Agility
The shifting criteria for the Sixth Man award can also be seen in the case of Josh Hart. Though not a traditional center, Hart had an exceptional workload, averaging just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season, and a whopping 46.4 minutes per game during New York's first nine playoff games. Despite these Herculean efforts, some pundits remain skeptical about his chances. "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York," one analyst succinctly remarked.
Hart himself has humorously acknowledged his unconventional role, joking on Twitter, "I am a 1-4, not a center," when asked about the possibility of stepping into the middle in light of Mitchell Robinson's absence. Yet, as another analyst put it, "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything." The flexibility and willingness to adapt to whatever the team requires seem to be gaining more recognition in the award voting.
Looking Forward: New Contenders
As the new NBA season unfolds, the odds for future Sixth Man of the Year winners illustrate the depth and competitiveness of the field. Malik Monk currently holds odds of +575, showing strong potential, while Naz Reid stands at +700, indicating the possibility of a repeat victory. Grayson Allen, with odds of +1000, also represents a significant contender.
Meanwhile, young talents like the Mavericks' Jaden Hardy are beginning to make their mark. Hardy earned crucial playoff minutes in his second year, a promising sign for his future contributions. Veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. has consistently garnered Sixth Man votes in Dallas, reflecting his steady impact and scoring ability off the bench.
The Sixth Man of the Year award is evolving in response to the changing dynamics of the NBA. Players like Brogdon and Reid have demonstrated that versatility, team impact, and the ability to fill varied roles are becoming as important—if not more so—than pure scoring off the bench. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how this prestigious accolade continues to transform, and who will emerge as the next standout Sixth Man in this new era of basketball.