NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds give basketball bettors a chance to root for the unsung heroes of hardwood.
While these players will seldom make headlines, or garner as much attention as awards like the NBA MVP odds, sixth men play a crucial role in the success of an NBA team, especially with the waves of injuries that have plagued the league in recent seasons.
With the 2021-22 season just days away, here's an early look at the odds to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year:
Odds to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year
| Player | Odds to win Sixth Man of the Year |
| Jordan Clarkson | +500 |
| Kevin Huerter | +1,200 |
| Joe Ingles | +1,200 |
| Patty Mills | +1,400 |
| Tyler Herro | +,1400 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | +1,500 |
| Derrick Rose | +1,500 |
| Coby White | +1,600 |
| Terrence Ross | +1,800 |
| Bobby Portis | +1,900 |
| Goran Dragic | +2,000 |
| Jalen Brunson | +2,000 |
| Jordan Poole | +2,000 |
| Dennis Schroder | +2,000 |
| Cameron Payne | +2,500 |
| TJ McConnell | +2,800 |
| Matisse Thybulle | +2,800 |
| Miles Bridges | +2,800 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook as of October 16, 2021.
Favorite to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year
Reigning 6MOY winner Jordan Clarkson (+500) gets to run it back as the early favorite for Sixth Man odds entering the new season. Clarkson led all bench scorers last season at 18.4 ppg, locking up what's often the most crucial statistic in determining the Sixth Man winner. While his time filling in the starting lineup for injuries to both Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell might seem counter-intuitive to this award, it elevated the importance of his contribution to Utah's NBA-best record.
Atlanta's Kevin Huerter sits tied for second at +1,200. Huerter stagnated statistically last season with Atlanta's influx of wing talent, but proved himself throughout both the regular season and the Hawks' playoff run as a multi-tool role player who can both score and provide efficient secondary playmaking. His size allows him to see minutes at multiple positions, and his stock should only continue to rise at just 23 years old.
Tied with Huerter is Joe Ingles, Clarkson's Jazz teammate, and runner-up in Sixth Man voting last season. While Clarkson nabbed votes with his electric scoring, Ingles was the more efficient and arguably better all-around player. With Utah's wing rotation virtually unchanged, it's a safe bet that both will be among the favorites for this award all season.
Patty Mills takes fourth place on the odds board at +1,400. Mills will be unlocked this season as a microwave bench scorer, able to feed off the open looks he's likely to see in the Brooklyn Nets offense. His value for this award will only increase if injuries to any of the Nets' Big 3 force him into a greater scoring role.
And rounding out the Top 5, tied with Mills, is this week's big riser, Tyler Herro. Herro appeared to hit a sophomore slump last season, but the reality was that the leap he took in the bubble represented a tangible improvement over a much longer layoff than 2021's "offseason". With a proper break under his belt, and no longer tasked with being Miami's starting PG, we could see more growth from Herro in Year 3.
Understanding NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2019-20's Rookie of the Year race as an example:
As last season progressed, with Ja Morant having been a huge favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number:
- Ja Morant -500
This means that a bettor needs to wager $500 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such:
- Zion Williamson +650
Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
It's worth noting that, recently, the Sixth Man Award hates big men. Since Antawn Jamison won playing out of position as a small forward on the 2003-04 Dallas Mavericks, only two non-guards (Lamar Odom '11, Montrezl Harrell '20) have claimed the trophy.
NBA Sixth Man of the Year history
| Year | NBA 6MOY Winner |
|---|---|
| 2020-21 | Jordan Clarkson |
| 2019-20 | Montrezl Harrell |
| 2018-19 | Lou Williams |
| 2017-18 | Lou Williams |
| 2016-17 | Eric Gordon |
| 2015-16 | Jamal Crawford |
| 2014-15 | Lou Williams |
| 2013-14 | Jamal Crawford |
| 2012-13 | J.R. Smith |
| 2011-12 | James Harden |
| 2010-11 | Lamar Odom |
| 2009-10 | Jamal Crawford |
| 2008-09 | Jason Terry |
| 2007-08 | Manu Ginobili |
| 2006-07 | Leandro Barbosa |
| 2005-06 | Mike Miller |
| 2004-05 | Ben Gordon |
| 2003-04 | Antawn Jamison |
| 2002-03 | Bobby Jackson |
| 2001-02 | Corliss Williamson |
| 2000-01 | Aaron Mckie |
Where can I bet on NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds?
You may have to shop around for NBA futures odds on who will win Sixth Man of the Year. As a bit more of a niche market, it may not be offered by all sportsbooks. Check out our best basketball sportsbooks available for the most trusted books in your area.
