NBA Sixth Man of the Year Odds & Predictions: Looking Beyond the Favorite Hunter

The NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds can often carry a bit more betting intrigue than some other year-end awards markets, where a narrower group of serious contenders tend to emerge. 

As the 2025-26 season approaches, the Timberwolves’ Naz Reid, Cavaliers’ De’Andre Hunter, and Knicks’ Josh Hart are among those populating the top five of a loaded leaderboard. Let’s dive into a few selections that merit consideration, including one player who could represent the best value bet.

📊 NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds 2025-26

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🏆 Who will win NBA Sixth Man of the Year?

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Malik Monk, G, Sacramento Kings (+2000)

Players like Hunter and Anfernee Simons (Celtics) undoubtedly have the talent to win Sixth Man of the Year, but there’s legitimate question as to whether they’ll fulfill the key requirement of coming off the bench more often than they start. 

One player who is projected to remain in his usual second-unit role is Malik Monk, as Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis are projected to form Sacramento’s starting backcourt. Monk already checks into the new season with some momentum, coming off a 2024-25 campaign where he finished with career highs in points (17.2), assists (5.6), and rebounds (3.8).

It’s also worth noting the new high-water mark in scoring came despite his lowest field-goal percentage (43.9) and 3-point percentage (32.5) since the 2020-21 and 2019-20 seasons, respectively. The Kings have also had all offseason to prepare for their first full season in some time without De’Aaron Fox, and Monk’s offensive contributions could be more important than ever in light of his former teammate’s departure.

At +2500 odds at BetMGM, a $10 bet on Monk would net $250 with an implied probability of 4.76%.

💰 Best bet to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year

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Payton Pritchard, G, Boston Celtics (+3500)

Payton Pritchard is considerably down the leaderboard despite his breakout 2024-25 season, which netted him Sixth Man of the Year honors and career bests in points (14.3), rebounds (3.8), assists (3.5), made threes (3.2), and field-goal percentage (47.2).

What makes him an especially eye-catching value candidate in this instance is the expected season-long absence of teammate Jayson Tatum due to his Achilles injury. Pritchard posted a 21.8% usage rate and per-36 averages of 20.8 points, 5.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals with Tatum off the floor last season, and that was with the latter typically available to re-enter the game.

The additional opportunities, coupled with his ability to check off multiple boxes on the stat sheet, could lead to Pritchard once again making the biggest impact off the bench in the league this coming season. 

FanDuel has Pritchard at +3500 odds (2.78%), where a $10 bet would profit $350.

🎯 Best NBA Sixth Man of the Year long shot

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Kelly Oubre Jr., F, 76ers (+7500)

Kelly Oubre Jr. is certainly one of those aforementioned proven commodities in this market whose odds might scream “long shot,” but whose previous body of work implies winning this award is very much within his range of outcomes. 

Oubre naturally has a long track record as a starter, including last season in Philadelphia when he averaged 15.5 points (on 47.0% shooting), 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals across 35.2 minutes in 57 turns with the first unit. 

However, the selection of VJ Edgecombe with the third overall pick last June tees up the Baylor product to immediately jump into the starting small forward role, which leaves Oubre as one of the 76ers’ top second-unit options.

A savvy wing who can contribute amply on both ends of the court and is a solid rebounder, Oubre could exploit his frequent matchups against fellow bench players often enough to garner this award if he logs enough time on the second unit.

Caesars has Oubre at +7500 odds, giving him an implied probability of just 1.32%. A successful $10 wager on Oubre would net $750.