NBA Sixth Man Of The Year Odds (2026-27)

The following post features NBA Sixth Man of the Year Odds (2026-27).

As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, oddsmakers have released their Sixth Man of the Year (SMOY) odds, providing an early look at the top contenders for a season-long futures bet.

Read: NBA Defensive Player Of The Year Odds

Related: NBA Most Improved Player Odds

The NBA Sixth Man of the Year race offers a unique betting opportunity, allowing bettors to back bench players poised for high usage and significant scoring production off the bench.

So, how is the NBA Sixth Man of the Year race shaping up for 2026-27? Here’s what you need to know.

Sixth Man of the Year Award Odds (2026-27)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. All odds were sourced on Oct 15, 2026. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Preseason Player Spotlights

Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Belgian guard is the current co-favorite after a breakout 2025-26 season in which he averaged 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds on 48.5% shooting in about 26 minutes per game. Oklahoma City’s offseason moves (shedding several rotation players) have opened more opportunity for the 24-year-old, and GM Sam Presti has publicly talked up an expanded role. Mitchell is a high-efficiency creator and scorer who fits the modern Sixth Man profile—strong on a contending team with clear bench usage—though the main risk is that he could start enough games to fall outside the traditional award criteria.

Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

The 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year returns as a strong contender after posting career highs of 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 2025-26 while averaging over 32 minutes. Pritchard just signed a two-year, $44.2 million extension and remains the engine of Boston’s second unit. His proven track record of scoring, playmaking, and three-point shooting on a perennial contender makes him a reliable pick, especially if the Celtics keep him primarily in a reserve role.

Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft impressed as a rookie, averaging 11.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds while earning All-Rookie honors and shining in the playoffs. At just 20 years old, Harper is being used in three-guard lineups and is competing for starting minutes alongside De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, but the Spurs still project him as a high-minute bench piece for much of the year. His combination of size, creation, and upside on a Western Conference powerhouse gives him a clear path to heavy scoring and usage off the bench.

Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves

After being traded to Minnesota midseason in 2025-26, Dosunmu averaged roughly 14–15 points with strong efficiency and defensive energy, then re-signed on a five-year, $112 million deal. The 26-year-old is expected to be a key secondary creator and two-way guard behind Anthony Edwards and the newly acquired LaMelo Ball. His speed, shooting (especially from three), and ability to impact winning on a contending roster make him a solid dark-horse candidate if he remains a primary bench option.

DeMar DeRozan, Denver Nuggets

The 37-year-old signed a one-year deal with Denver after being waived by Sacramento and is slotted as the clear first option off the bench—his first reserve role since his rookie season. Coach David Adelman has indicated high usage for DeRozan as a secondary creator and scorer when Nikola Jokić sits. He averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists last season; if he maintains mid-teens scoring on a strong Nuggets team while staying in a true bench role, voters could reward the veteran production.

Anfernee Simons, Philadelphia 76ers

Simons signed a two-year, $12.3 million deal with the star-studded Sixers and is projected as the primary scoring guard off the bench behind Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the loaded starting group. He averaged 14.3 points last season (limited by injury) and has a history of 20+ ppg scoring bursts. A healthy season as Philadelphia’s main second-unit spark plug would put him firmly in the conversation, especially if the Sixers contend deep into the East.

Sixth Man of the Year Award Results (2025-26)

Sixth Man of the Year Award

The NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, which grants the winner the John Havlicek Trophy, is bestowed annually upon the best performing non-starting player during the regular season. To be eligible, a player must come off the bench in more games than they start. The winner is selected by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters who cast first, second, and third-place votes. This award heavily favors bench players who demonstrate starter-level production, high scoring volume, and impactful energy while contributing to a winning team’s success.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winner (by Year)

Click here for the Sixth Man of the Year Award Winner by year.