Austin Reaves Emerges as Sixth Man of the Year Front-Runner, Surpassing Tim Hardaway Jr.

The NBA Awards conversation is already buzzing, and the Sixth Man of the Year race is taking center stage with a notable shift in odds. Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ triumph in the NBA In-Season Tournament, guard Austin Reaves has overtaken the Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. as the favorite for the Sixth Man of the Year award, boasting the shortest odds at +250 compared to Hardaway’s +390, according to FanDuel.

Joining Reaves and Hardaway in contention for the coveted accolade are other notable off-the-bench performers, including Immanuel Quickley of the New York Knicks (+550), Cole Anthony of the Orlando Magic (+650), Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings (+900), and Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks (+1000).

While there is still a significant portion of the 2023-24 NBA season ahead, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that Reaves and Hardaway might engage in a season-long battle for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.

Reaves, currently averaging 29.1 minutes per game, has posted impressive stats with 14.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game, shooting 33.0% from beyond the arc. In comparison, Hardaway, playing 27.7 minutes off the bench, has contributed 16.9 points, 1.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, showcasing a 38.4% shooting accuracy from deep.

A key differentiator in their respective candidacies is the Lakers’ recent victory in the NBA In-Season Tournament, where Reaves played a crucial role, exploding for 28 points off the bench in the NBA Cup Final against the Indiana Pacers. 

Despite the Mavericks holding a slightly better overall record (14-8) compared to the Lakers (14-9), the tournament win has brought additional attention to Reaves and his significant contributions throughout the season. The race for the Sixth Man of the Year Award promises to be a compelling narrative as the NBA season unfolds.