Last year’s Sixth Man of the Year race in the NBA was unforgettable, delivering the closest finish in league history. Malik Monk of the Kings fell just two first-place votes shy of claiming the trophy. Ultimately, Naz Reid made Minnesota Timberwolves history, becoming the first player in franchise history to win the award—and only the third undrafted player to do so.
This season presents a fresh challenge. The Timberwolves have not achieved the same level of team success as last year, which has dimmed Reid’s chances of becoming the first back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year since Lou Williams accomplished the feat with the Clippers in 2018 and 2019. As the race heats up, here’s a closer look at some of Reid’s strongest competitors, according to BETMGM.
Payton Pritchard
No contender is more prominent in this year’s conversation than Boston’s own half-court marksman, Payton Pritchard. The fifth-year guard from Oregon has spent his entire career with the Celtics and now finds himself in the perfect position to compete for the award. As the best bench player on a team many consider the NBA’s strongest, Pritchard is posting career numbers.
For the first time, he’s averaging double digits in points, playing a career-high in minutes per game, and shooting an elite 42% from beyond the arc. His relentless tempo and energy on the court create havoc for opposing defenses while providing a critical offensive boost for Boston’s second unit.
Last offseason, Pritchard secured a four-year, $30 million contract extension, and Boston is already seeing exceptional returns on their investment. Surrounded by a reigning NBA championship roster which includes All-NBA, All-Defensive, and All-Star talent, Pritchard has mastered the art of thriving in his role—making him a leading contender for this year’s award to and add to his trophy case.
De'Andre Hunter
De’Andre Hunter entered the league with sky-high expectations as the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Coming off a National Championship victory with the University of Virginia, he was projected to become a cornerstone for the Hawks. However, finding his offensive role on a roster stacked with talent— which once included Trae Young, John Collins, Cam Reddish, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Lou Williams—proved challenging.
This season, the wait is finally over. Returning from an offseason injury, Hunter has embraced his role as Atlanta’s sixth man, averaging a career-best 19.4 points per game—the highest among all bench players in the league. He has evolved from a 3-and-D specialist into a legitimate two-way star.
While individual performance is essential, team success will play a role in Hunter’s campaign. The Hawks have been hovering between the 6th and 10th seeds in the Eastern Conference. If they can make a push and solidify their playoff standing, Hunter’s chances of securing the award will skyrocket.
Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal is perhaps the most unconventional candidate on this list. The three-time All-Star’s eligibility hinges on how long Suns coach Mike Budenholzer keeps him in a reserve role. While Beal is overqualified for the award by most standards, his early returns off the bench have been nothing short of spectacular.
In two of his first three games as a sixth man, Beal delivered 25-point performances, demonstrating his ability to dominate regardless of his role. To qualify for the award, a player must appear in at least 65 games and come off the bench more often than they start. With only 23 starts so far this season, Beal remains eligible—assuming the Suns stick with their current rotation.
If Phoenix can climb above .500 and Beal continues to excel in his role, he could become one of the most surprising Sixth Man of the Year winners in recent memory.
Other names to watch
Beyond Pritchard, Hunter, and Beal, several other names have emerged as strong candidates. Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook of the Denver Nuggets, and Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks—last year’s third-place finisher—are all in the mix. There's no shortage of talent vying for the award.
As the season progresses, the Sixth Man of the Year race will continue to evolve. With roughly half the season remaining, the award remains up for grabs, promising another dramatic finish to an already exciting competition.