NBA 6th Man of the Year Odds 2026: Who Makes The Biggest Impact Off The Bench?

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The best teams always have depth and the NBA 6th Man of the Year odds reflect just that.

The NBA 6th Man of the Year award celebrates the league’s best player that comes off the bench. Several dynamic scorers and spark plugs headline the NBA 6th Man of the Year odds race.

Shooting guards have dominated this award since the mid-2000s, winning 17 of the last 21 awards...

From proven veterans to emerging stars embracing key reserve roles, here’s a look at the favorites in NBA 6th Man of the Year odds.

Here is a look at the odds to win NBA 6th Man of the Year:

🏀 2026 NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds

Player Odds Implied probability
Keldon Johnson -833 89.28%
Jaime Jaquez Jr. +500 16.67%
Reed Sheppard +10000 0.99%
Minnesota Timberwolves Naz Reid +10000 0.99%
Ajay Mitchell +10000 0.99%
Tim Hardaway Jr. +10000 0.99%
Isaiah Stewart +25000 0.40%

Odds provided by BetMGM – accurate as of April 20

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Looking to bet on the NBA 6th Man of the Year Odds? Check out Oddspedia’s bet calculator and odds calculator!

2026 NBA Sixth Man of the Year favorites

Keldon Johnson | -833 odds

Johnson has solidified his status as the odds-on favorite by embracing a high-impact bench role for the San Antonio Spurs. Averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, his veteran presence and ability to provide instant offense have been crucial for a Spurs team with deep postseason aspirations.

His consistency in scoring, marked by more than a dozen 20-point performances this season, makes him the primary candidate to beat as the regular season concludes.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. | +500 odds

Jaime Jaquez Jr. remains the top challenger, serving as the Miami Heat’s quintessential Swiss Army Knife. He has significantly outpaced the field in counting stats, averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game off the bench.

His playmaking and ability to start or close games based on the Heat’s fluctuating health have made him an invaluable asset, keeping his odds competitive at +500 despite Miami losing to the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA play-in tournament.

NBA 2026 Sixth Man of the Year sleeper pick

  Reed Sheppard | +10000 odds

Sheppard is the definitive long-shot sleeper who could steal the trophy if voters prioritize efficiency and two-way impact.

The Houston Rockets’ sophomore averaged 13.5 points and 3.4 assists while shooting an impressive 39.4% from beyond the arc.

Beyond his scoring, his 1.5 steals per game and top-tier advanced metrics make him a statistical darling. His analytics-heavy case could become impossible to ignore.

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📖 How to read NBA 6th Man of the Year odds

Reading NBA 6th Man of the Year odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600.

🤔 Who decides who wins the NBA 6th Man of the Year Award?

The NBA 6th Man of the Year award is decided by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cast their votes for their top three NBA 6th Man of the Year candidates using a weighted point system.

The player that receives the most points after all votes have been tallied is crowned the winner after the regular season concludes. The winner is usually announced in late April.

💰 How to bet on the NBA 6th Man of the Year odds

Placing a futures bet on the NBA 6th Man of the Year odds is a five-step process that focuses on finding the best value.

1. Choose a Bookmaker and Compare Odds

Start by comparing 6th Man of the Year odds across multiple legal sportsbooks (e.g., bet365, Stake). Odds for longshot candidates can vary significantly (+2000 vs. +2500), directly impacting your potential return. Selecting the best price ensures maximum value for your bet.

2. Sign Up and Deposit Funds

Complete the online registration with the chosen bookmaker, providing necessary personal details for identity verification. When depositing funds, consider any available welcome bonuses, as these offers can effectively reduce the risk on your initial portfolio investment.

3. Locate the Futures Market

Once logged in, navigate the bookmaker’s menu to find the market. The path is typically: NBA → Futures → Awards → 6th Man of the Year.

4. Select Your Bets and Enter Stakes

Identify your 3-4 preferred longshot players and click on their odds to add them to your bet slip. For each selection, enter the same wagering amount (stake) to create your diversified portfolio. It is crucial to place these as individual straight bets, not a parlay.

5. Review and Place the Bet

Before finalizing, review the bet slip to confirm the players, the locked-in odds, and the total amount risked. Once satisfied, submit the bets to secure your longshot odds for the entire NBA season.

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💸 Key Betting Strategies for NBA 6th Man of the Year Odds

The following three strategies focus on maximizing value, managing risk and exploiting market inefficiencies across the NBA Season.

1. The Preseason Portfolio (Maximizing Odds)

The core of this strategy is maximizing initial value by placing multiple, small, diversified bets immediately after the odds are released. Your focus should be on 3 to 4 longshot players who are in situations offering high-volume opportunities (e.g., a go-to scorer off the bench). By selecting odds of +2000 or higher, you are constructing a portfolio that diversifies risk. If any one of your selections breaks out, the return on the small, pooled stake is massive.

  • Example: Placing $10 on four different players —Player A (+2500), B (+4000), C (+2000), and D (+3000) results in a total risk of $40.

2. Dynamic In-Season Monitoring and Adjustment (Identifying Breakouts)

The second stage involves rigorous monitoring of your longshots during the first few months of the season (October-December) to identify an odds-shortening breakout. You are tracking a sustained run of excellent production (e.g., a player averaging at least 15 points per game through 30-40 games). This breakout performance will dramatically shift the market and prepare you for the third strategic step. Volume and consistency are the only metrics that matter here, as they validate the initial preseason bet.

  • Example: Your $10 bet on Player B at +4000 sees their odds plummet to +300 after a dominant stretch where they are top 10 in points, rebounds or assists, confirming their status as an award contender.

3. The Calculated Mid-Season Hedge (Guaranteeing Profit)

This final, crucial strategy is pure risk management designed to lock in a guaranteed net profit. If your initial longshot has become a top favorite, you identify their closest rival and calculate the precise stake needed to place a bet on that rival. This is the “hedge bet.” The goal is to ensure that regardless of which of the two top candidates ultimately wins the award, you walk away with a guaranteed, significant return on your small initial investment, effectively taking risk off the table late in the season.

  • Example: With Player B at +300, and their rival, Player E, at +500, you calculate an $80 stake on Player E. This maneuver guarantees a net profit of at least $320 (if B wins) or $390 (if E wins), securing a massive return on your initial $40 risk.

📈 NBA 6th Man of the Year Betting Trends

When wagering on the NBA 6th Man of the Year odds or any other NBA player award futures, it is always wise to research betting trends that have been established over the years. Here is a look at some key trends to consider before placing this season’s bets.

  • The last six 6MOTY Award winners have been first-time recipients, and only five players have ever won the award more than once.
  • Recent winners tend to be a high-usage bench scorer, often a guard that can close games.
  • Only six non-U.S. players have ever won the NBA 6th Man of the Year award.
  • Shooting guards have dominated this award since the mid-2000s, winning 17 of the last 21 awards.

🏆 Previous NBA 6th Man of the Year winners by position

Position Winners
Shooting guard 22
Power forward 11
Small forward 4
Point guard 3
Center 3

Our best NBA betting sites

To make sure you get the most value on your NBA odds, go to the best NBA betting sites prior to placing your wagers throughout the season.

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🏆 Previous 6th Man of the Year winners

Season Player Team
2024-25 Payton Pritchard Celtics
2023-24 Naz Reid Timberwolves
2022-23 Malcolm Brogdon Celtics
2021-22 Tyler Herro Heat
2020-21 Jordan Clarkson Jazz
2019-20 Montrezl Harrell Clippers
2018-19 Lou Williams Clippers
2017-18 Lou Williams Clippers
2016-17 Eric Gordon Rockets

❓ NBA 6th Man of the Year odds FAQs

Who is the favorite to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2026?

Keldon Johnson is the current favorite to win the 2026 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award prized at -200 in odds. He leads the race over Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+300), while Reed Sheppard (+1500) remains a good sleeper pick.

Who won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2025?

Last season, the Sixth Man of the Year award was given to Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard. Coming off the bench, Reid averaged 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. It was the first major award win for Pritchard in his five-year career.

When will the NBA 6th Man of the Year award be decided?

The NBA 6th Man of the Year award is voted on immediately following the conclusion of the regular season. The winner is announced during the NBA Playoffs typically in late April. However, the timing of the announcement can vary from year-to-year.

How is the NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner decided?

The NBA 6th Man of the Year award is voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA in the United States and Canada. It is a weighted voting system with each media member casting votes for their top three candidates. The player with the most total points from the award balloting wins the Sixth Man of the Year award.

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