While having a scorer leading the second unit can be a luxury, every NBA club could use a good sixth man off the bench. A strong sixth man is always relied upon to give the team energy, whether it is to maintain a lead or help close a deficit.
According to Bovada Official, NBA Central has revealed who the favorites are to win the Sixth Man of the Year title.
These players have given their teams a fighting chance every time they step on the court, and there have been a number of standouts this season, from Malik Monk to Austin Reaves. With plenty of games remaining, the odds of winning the award remain fluid, with each candidate having their own case to win it. Let’s take a look at the five NBA players who could win the Sixth Man of the Year award.
5. Malik Monastery: + 700
With his current season, Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings is ranked sixth on the list of guards. Monk is scoring 14.0 points per game on 42.3% shooting (40.1% from 3-point range) and dishing out 5.1 assists. While he still scores points, his court judgment has significantly improved over the course of the previous season, when he averaged 3.9 assists per game.
4). Bogdan Bogdanovic: +600
The next player on this list is guard Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks, who is still among the league’s greatest shooters. Bogdanovic is averaging 17.9 points per game (45.4% shooting, including 39.4% from 3-point range) and 3.4 rebounds per game this season. With 14.3 field goals attempted per game, the Hawks guard is scoring at his highest rate of the season.
3). Cole Anthony: +550
Cole Anthony, an Orlando Magic guard, is scoring 14.5 points per game (44.7% shooting, including 35.7% from 3-point range) and grabbing 4.5 rebounds per game. Greg Anthony is an NBA TV analyst. Anthony consistently increases the team’s offensive output, particularly in games where the Magic’s offense is ineffective or uninspired.
2). Tim Hardaway Jr.: +285
Tim Hardaway Jr., a guard for the Dallas Mavericks, is playing for a team that has the eighth-ranked offense in the NBA (117.5 rating), and he is putting up 18.0 points per game (41.1% shooting, including 36.2% from 3-point range) and 3.7 rebounds per game. His shotmaking has improved within the team’s system, which has helped the Mavericks win.
Austin Reaves (phone: +225
Austin Reaves, a guard for the LA Lakers, is ranked first. Reaves’ style of play has undoubtedly become more confident since switching to the bench. Reaves is averaging 15.1 points per game (48.3% shooting, including 37.4% from 3-point range), 4.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists this season.
For the Lakers, Reaves has flourished in his new position. In addition to his scoring prowess, he has developed into a capable facilitator—a valuable asset for the Lakers’ bench.
