NBA 6th Man of the Year (6MOTY) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 13 ft. Tari Eason
After an underwhelming stretch, the 2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year (6MOTY) race gained some life over the past week.
An early-season candidate from one of the Western Conference's premier squads re-entered the conversation with his defensive tenacity upon his return from injury. Meanwhile, the reigning 6MOTY continued his offensive surge, positioning himself as a legitimate threat to the midseason frontrunner.
On that note, here are the top five 6MOTY aspirants following Week 13.
Top 5 2024-25 NBA 6th Man of the Year (6MOTY) candidates after Week 13
#5 Tari Eason
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason returned from a 13-game absence due to a lower left leg injury last week. He picked up where he left off as an athletic two-way contributor, racking up steals and fastbreak finishes.
Eason tallied 12-plus points in three of four outings and six-plus rebounds in two, recording 12 total swipes for the West's second-seeded Rockets (29-14).
Through 28 outings, Eason is averaging 11.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.0 3-pointers per game, shooting 47.7%.
#4 Payton Pritchard
Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard continues to deliver inconsistent production, alternating big scoring performances with offensive duds.
Nevertheless, Pritchard can get hot from deep in a hurry on any given night for the defending NBA champions. He has reached 20 points in two of his last five games while providing serviceable playmaking.
Across 44 contests, Pritchard is averaging 14.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 0.8 spg and 3.3 3pg, shooting 46.9% and 41.0% from long distance.
#3 Malik Beasley
Arguably the most one-dimensional player in the 6MOTY race, Detroit Pistons shooting guard Malik Beasley continues to fill it up from beyond the arc.
He has tallied 17-plus points and three-plus triples in six of his last eight contests for the upstart Pistons, who climbed two games above .500 (23-21). The nine-year veteran also moved back into second in the league in total treys with 162.
Through 44 appearances, including 33 off the bench, Beasley is averaging 16.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 0.9 spg and 3.7 3pg. Meanwhile, he is shooting 42.6% and 39.8% from outside.
#2 Naz Reid
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid's case for winning back-to-back 6MOTY trophies is growing by the day amid his increased offensive output.
The floor-spacing big has scored in double figures in 10 straight contests, averaging 17.3 ppg while shooting 53.8% and 54.2% from 3 during that span. Reid peaked with a season-high 29-point performance during Monday's 108-106 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
On top of his scoring influx, he has recorded six or more rebounds in five of his last seven appearances.
Across 44 outings, Reid is averaging 13.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.8 bpg and 2.1 3pg, shooting 47.9% and 40.7% from downtown.
#1 De'Andre Hunter
Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter remains the league's top bench scorer by a fairly wide margin. However, his efficiency has taken a hit in three outings since his return from a two-game absence due to left foot soreness. During that span, he is averaging 16.0 ppg on just 35.7% shooting.
The three-level scorer still delivered a 22-point effort during Monday's 119-110 road loss to the New York Knicks. Nevertheless, he will need to step up his offensive output again to retain his top spot in the 6MOTY race over the season's second half.
Through 30 contests, including 28 off the pine, Hunter is averaging 19.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 0.9 spg and 2.6 3pg. Meanwhile, he is shooting 46.2%, 40.5% from long range and 85.6% at the free-throw line.
For last week's 6MOTY rankings, click here.