Kings’ Malik Monk Takes Over as Favorite for NBA Sixth Man
NBA Sixth Man Odds: Kings Guard Averaged 18.2 Points in February
A new favorite has emerged in the race for NBA Sixth Man of the Year, as Sacramento’s Malik Monk now sits atop the odds board in the race to distinguish the league’s best bench player.
Monk — a fifth-place finisher in last year’s voting — lapped Dallas forward Tim Hardaway Jr. after a productive February in which he averaged 18.2 points, 4.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 12 games.
Nine of the 10 previous award winners — except for center Montrez Harrell in 2019-20 — have been playmaking guards, so Monk already has a leg up in that regard.
As the calendar flips to March, the final full month of the NBA regular season, here is where the NBA Sixth Man odds stand.
THE FAVORITE
Mailk Monk, G, Sacramento Kings (-130)
According to NBA odds, Monk is now a -135 favorite in what has essentially become his award to lose.
His value to Sacramento is immense. No NBA backup is averaging more fourth-quarter points or minutes. He is scoring at a higher rate than ever before (15.0 PPG), and his 299 assists are a single-season best for a Kings reserve.
While others may rival Monk’s production, nobody off the bench has performed better in the clutch this season.
TOP CONTENDERS
Caris LeVert, G, Cleveland Cavaliers (+500)
LeVert has contributed solid production across the board, averaging 14.1 points, 4.7 assists and 3.8 rebounds. Those are his best numbers with Cleveland despite playing his fewest minutes in three seasons.
His contributions have been vital for the Cavaliers, who own the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 38-20 despite injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
In Wednesday’s double-overtime loss to Chicago, LeVert recorded a team-high 15 assists in 39 minutes.
Norman Powell, F, Los Angeles Clippers (+600)
It’s the Big Three of Paul George, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard that draws much of the praise in Los Angeles, but Powell shouldn’t go overlooked. Powell, a nine-year veteran out of UCLA, continues to make the most of his playing time. In 25.6 minutes, he is averaging 13.6 points on a career-high 44.9% shooting from 3.
Powell could see more time down the stretch if the Clippers choose to rest their stars, which would increase his chances of challenging Monk for top billing.
Tim Hardaway Jr., F, Dallas Mavericks (+700)
A one-time favorite for Sixth Man, Hardaway Jr. saw his production plummet in February. He averaged 10.6 points on 35.3% shooting across 11 games, well below his NBA stats from the season’s first three-plus month.
Hardaway Jr.’s overall numbers are still solid (16.8 PPG), but his NBA Sixth Man odds are clearly trending in the wrong direction.
Naz Reid, C, Minnesota Timberwolves (+700)
Reid has been a prime complement to Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the frontcourt for the Western Conference-leading Timberwolves (42-17). In 59 games, the 6-foot-9 Reid is averaging a career-best 12.3 points to go with 4.7 rebounds.
In Wednesday’s win over Memphis, Reid contributed 19 points on four 3-pointers in just 26 minutes.
If Minnesota manages to hold onto the No. 1 seed in the West, Reid could get a boost from NBA Sixth Man odds voters.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Bobby Portis, F, Milwaukee Bucks (+3000)
After making a combined 81 starts over the last two seasons, Portis has transitioned into a full-time reserve for Milwaukee. He’s flourished in that role, averaging 12.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in 60 NBA games (one start).
Portis finished third in the voting last year, losing out to Malcolm Brogdon and Immanuel Quickley. He’ll get lots of love this year too, but it will take an awful lot to leapfrog the top of the board.
Russell Westbrook, G, Los Angeles Clippers (+3500)
Sensing he was losing his grip on a starting spot, Westbrook approached Clippers coaches earlier this season about accepting a full-time bench role. It is a bit jarring to see the nine-time All-Star and former MVP relegated to a lesser job, but the transition’s worked about as well as anyone could have expected.
Westbrook has remained an important part of the Clippers’ rotation. In 11 games last month, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals over 22.5 minutes.
LONGSHOTS
Bogdan Bogdanovic, F, Atlanta Hawks (+4000)
Bogdanovic may be averaging a career-high 16.7 points in 57 games (11 starts), but his production will likely go overlooked because of the Hawks’ (26-33) struggles. Voters tend to favor players on winning NBA teams.
Bennedict Mathurin, G, Indiana Pacers (+7000)
Mathurin’s playing time has gradually increased over the last three months. The 2022 first-round pick was up to 29.1 minutes per game in February, during which he averaged a healthy 15.4 points.
Having started of late, Mathurin may play himself out of consideration for the award.
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