As the NBA season unfolds, anticipation builds not only around the race for the championship but also for individual accolades that spotlight the league’s exceptional talent. One of the most coveted honors is the Sixth Man of the Year award, recognizing the impact of players who come off the bench to elevate their teams. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, let’s take a look at who are the top favorites to win the 2023-2024 Sixth Man of the Year award a.k.a the John Havlicek trophy.
5. Kelly Oubre Jr. (Philadelphia 76ers)
Former Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has always been a great help on the team’s offense. From his third season onwards, he always averaged double digits in scoring and just last season, Oubre posted his career-high in point average with 20.2 PPG. This season, as a new member of the Philadelphia 76ers, he is still that type of man, only now he comes off the bench.
As a second-stringer, Kelly Oubre Jr. is averaging 16.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Not only that but he’s also gotten better in shooting the three-ball.
4. Malik Monk (Sacramento Kings)
The athletic guard Malik Monk is having a fantastic start to the 2023-2024 season as he averages career-high averages in points and rebounds. After he and Domantas Sabonis came to Sacramento, the franchise was finally able to end a 17-year drought in the playoffs.
The Kings have a pretty good team in the West. Top it off with a deep bench featuring Monk and Davion Mitchell, they’re slated to reach the playoffs again.
3. Chris Paul (Golden State Warriors)
Chris Paul a.k.a “The Point God” surprisingly fits in the Warriors system, thanks to his impactful playmaking. With him as the main playmaker each time he steps on the court, it allows Steph Curry to move off the ball and position himself for a higher chance of scoring.
CP3 may not be fully controlled of the offense anymore and he’s not that productive as he was before, but his impact and the intangibles he brings to the table are priceless. In the last 11 games, Paul was able to dish out 80 assists (9th in NBA) and only managed to have 12 turnovers.
2. Tim Hardaway Jr. (Dallas Mavericks)
Being the leader for points, field goals, and three-point shots made by a bench player would definitely put you on this list. Well, Tim Hardaway Jr. is doing just that. In 2022, Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro cleared the 6MoY race after cracking more than 20 points a game and helping the Heat reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Dallas Mavericks have been on a tear early in the season as they become the No.2 seed in the West with an 8-2 record in their first 10 games. Aside from MVP mode Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, this Mavs team has been special with Hardaway Jr., Dereck Lively II, and Grant Williams.
1. Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner: Immanuel Quickley (New York Knicks)
4th year NBA player Immanuel Quickley is the top favorite to be named the 2023-2024 6th Man of the Year award or the John Havlicek Trophy. Quickley, 24, is the fourth leading scorer for the New York Knicks, behind Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle.
The Knicks stay afloat on the offensive end even though Julius Randle has been playing poorly this season, thanks to Quickley’s consistency. He may not be the top dog in MSG, but his a very valuable piece to his contending squad.