2027 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Odds, Analysis & Favorites

• Dylan Harper opens as the early 6MOY betting favorite at +750.
• Ajay Mitchell and Anthony Black follow the Spurs’ guard.
• The reigning winner, Keldon Johnson, is +2000.

Award Context

• Defending Winner: Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)
• Key Historical Trend: The last six winners have all come from teams winning 52+ games.

2026-27 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Opening Odds

Player	Team	Odds
Dylan Harper	Spurs	+750
Ajay Mitchell	Thunder	+900
Anthony Black	Magic	+900
Reed Sheppard	Rockets	+1300
Ace Bailey	Jazz	+2000
Keldon Johnson	Spurs	+2000

Market Preview

Dylan Harper (+750)

The San Antonio Spurs look to keep the 6MOY trophy in Texas after Keldon Johnson’s triumph last year. With the Spurs entering the campaign as heavy championship favorites, their bench depth will be heavily showcased.

Harper possesses both the ball-handling and scoring instincts to lead the second unit and even bring wins in the finish playing alongside Wemby. The fact that he’s a part of a prominent contender gives him a huge edge over other players, which is why the opening odds favor the young guard.

Ajay Mitchell (+900)

Mitchell logic is simple: follow the wins. The Oklahoma City Thunder project as regular-season leaders once again, and Mitchell proved his reliability down the stretch during the 2025-26 voting cycle.

Operating as the primary defensive pest and secondary playmaker off the bench, he will accumulate enough time on the floor to establish himself as one of the top contenders for the award. If the Thunder capture the top seed in the West, Mitchell’s analytical impact will be tough for voters to overlook.

Anthony Black (+900)

Orlando’s Anthony Black steps into a massive regular-season role with the second unit, offering defensive length and elite backcourt disruption that mirrors the Magic’s core identity. Now, the Magic are expected to be among the top four teams in the East, and Black has his chance there.

Reed Sheppard (+1300)

Meanwhile, Houston’s Reed Sheppard remains the high-efficiency wildcard. Should the Rockets take a massive step forward in the standings, Sheppard’s perimeter-lethal shooting will be a huge factor here. He was 39.4% from downtown last year. Plus, he’s one of a few creative guys in the Rockets’ second unit.

Ace Bailey (+2000)

Now, Utah’s chances to reach 52 wins are minimal, but still, Bailey is a dark horse, and his stock skyrockets if his team enters the playoffs. He is bound to be the second unit behind JJJ and Lauri Markkanen, and given his performances last year, the 19-year-old has a good chance to make huge noise while on the floor.

Keldon Johnson (+2000)

Regarding Johnson, he would become the first guy after Lou Williams to win back-to-back 6th Man of the Year awards. And why not? He knows his role, and the Spurs are title contenders. This is a decent long shot for anyone trying to win big.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award (6MOY)

The NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award (6MOY) honors the league’s premier reserve player who impacts games off the bench. Originally established in the 1982–83 season, this prestigious honor celebrates game-changing spark plugs, elite bench scorers, and defensive anchors.

Since the 2022–23 season, the winner receives the John Havlicek Trophy, named after the legendary Boston Celtics icon who redefined the bench role.

🏆 Eligibility and Voting Criteria

To qualify for the Sixth Man of the Year award, a player must fulfill specific league requirements:

• Bench Requirement: The player must come off the bench in more games than they start during the regular season.
• Games Played Minimum: Players must meet the league’s standard 65-game threshold to qualify for major end-of-season awards.
• Voting Panel: The award is decided by a global media panel of sportswriters and broadcasters using a 5-3-1 point system (first, second, and third-place votes).

🏀 Historical Milestones & Record Holders

• Most Wins (3): Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams share the record for most 6MOY awards.
• Inaugural Winner: Bobby Jones (1982–83, Philadelphia 76ers).
• Hall of Famers: Legends like Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, Toni Kukoč, and Manu Ginóbili have earned the award.
• MVP & 6MOY Winners: James Harden and Bill Walton are the only players in NBA history to win both an MVP and Sixth Man of the Year during their careers.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Winners

Season	Player	Team	Position
2025–26	Keldon Johnson	San Antonio Spurs	Forward
2024–25	Payton Pritchard	Boston Celtics	Guard
2023–24	Naz Reid	Minnesota Timberwolves	Center
2022–23	Malcolm Brogdon	Boston Celtics	Guard
2021–22	Tyler Herro	Miami Heat	Guard
2020–21	Jordan Clarkson	Utah Jazz	Guard
2019–20	Montrezl Harrell	Los Angeles Clippers	Center
2018–19	Lou Williams	Los Angeles Clippers	Guard
2017–18	Lou Williams	Los Angeles Clippers	Guard
2016–17	Eric Gordon	Houston Rockets	Guard
2015–16	Jamal Crawford	Los Angeles Clippers	Guard
2014–15	Lou Williams	Toronto Raptors	Guard
2013–14	Jamal Crawford	Los Angeles Clippers	Guard
2012–13	J.R. Smith	New York Knicks	Guard
2011–12	James Harden	Oklahoma City Thunder	Guard
2010–11	Lamar Odom	Los Angeles Lakers	Forward
2009–10	Jamal Crawford	Atlanta Hawks	Guard
2008–09	Jason Terry	Dallas Mavericks	Guard
2007–08	Manu Ginóbili	San Antonio Spurs	Guard
2006–07	Leandro Barbosa	Phoenix Suns	Guard
2005–06	Mike Miller	Memphis Grizzlies	Guard
2004–05	Ben Gordon	Chicago Bulls	Guard
2003–04	Antawn Jamison	Dallas Mavericks	Forward
2002–03	Bobby Jackson	Sacramento Kings	Guard
2001–02	Corliss Williamson	Detroit Pistons	Forward
2000–01	Aaron McKie	Philadelphia 76ers	Guard
1999–00	Rodney Rogers	Phoenix Suns	Forward
1998–99	Darrell Armstrong	Orlando Magic	Guard
1997–98	Danny Manning	Phoenix Suns	Forward
1996–97	John Starks	New York Knicks	Guard
1995–96	Toni Kukoč	Chicago Bulls	Forward
1994–95	Anthony Mason	New York Knicks	Forward
1993–94	Dell Curry	Charlotte Hornets	Guard
1992–93	Clifford Robinson	Portland Trail Blazers	Forward/Center
1991–92	Detlef Schrempf	Indiana Pacers	Forward
1990–91	Detlef Schrempf	Indiana Pacers	Forward
1989–90	Ricky Pierce	Milwaukee Bucks	Guard
1988–89	Eddie Johnson	Phoenix Suns	Forward
1987–88	Roy Tarpley	Dallas Mavericks	Forward/Center
1986–87	Ricky Pierce	Milwaukee Bucks	Guard
1985–86	Bill Walton	Boston Celtics	Center
1984–85	Kevin McHale	Boston Celtics	Forward
1983–84	Kevin McHale	Boston Celtics	Forward
1982–83	Bobby Jones	Philadelphia 76ers	Forward