Former Boston Celtic guard Malcolm Brogdon earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors last season, but it’s improbable that he will repeat as winner. Who will win the award this season? Get Sixth Man of the Year award trends and best bets below.
Recent NBA Sixth Man of the Year Trends
Breaking down the last fifteen winners provides tremendous insight into the award. Every winner averaged at least 14 points, and 60 percent cleared 18 points per game.
In addition, 66 percent posted a true shooting percentage above the league average, so efficient scoring remains the foundation of this award. All winners had at least 25 minutes per game, and 60 percent even reached 30 minutes per game. About 86 percent were guards, while 73 percent fell between ages 26 to 32.
NBA NEWS & BETTING ODDS: Norman Powell, Buddy Hield Updates
Therefore, it’s difficult for youth and non-guards to become Sixth Man of the Year. Finally, everyone came from a team with a winning record, and 93 percent hailed from teams with at least a 0.58 win percentage or a 47-win pace. Astoundingly, 73 percent played on 0.64 win percentage teams, which is a 52-win pace.
Overall, the profile for Sixth Man of the Year is a high-scoring, relatively efficient veteran guards who play many minutes for a successful playoff contender.
2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Best Bets
Norman Powell (+1000 DK)
In his first full season with the Clippers, Powell averaged 17 points on a hyper-efficient 61.2 true shooting percentage while playing 26.1 minutes per game. Powell oozes scoring prowess, as he can both create off the dribble and act as a deadly off-ball shooter.
The 30-year-old guard once again comes off the bench with Russell Westbrook and Paul George starting, although Los Angeles will prioritize his minutes given the offensive production.
NBA NEWS & BETTING ODDS: Norman Powell, Buddy Hield Updates
Powell even has the last piece of the puzzle, as the Clippers are expected to be a title contender and playoff lock. Powell’s +1000 odds boast an implied probability of 9.09 percent. Based on his profile, he should clear that mark with ease.
Buddy Hield (+3000 DK)
Over the past five seasons, Hield has averaged 17.8 points on a solid 57.6 true shooting percentage. The 30-year-old remains one of the best three-point shooters in the league and an offensive asset. Unfortunately for Hield, voters have never granted him the award because of team success.
He’s never made the playoffs despite being in the NBA for seven seasons. However, that may change, as the Indiana Pacers recently stated their desire to trade the sharpshooter. Contenders are circling, and it won’t be long until Hield is traded.
NBA NEWS & BETTING ODDS: Norman Powell, Buddy Hield Updates
His status is murky, but Hield will likely wind up in a great situation as the sixth man on a playoff team. Therefore, utilizing the unknown to buy low at +3000 odds is wise. Those odds possess an implied probability of 3.23 percent.
