According to multiple sources, Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid won the 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Reid beat out Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis to take home the honor.
Full voting breakdown for Sixth Man of the Year per NBA pic.twitter.com/Mcl6Q571U6
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) April 24, 2024
During the regular season, Reid appeared in 81 games. In those games, he averaged 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Additionally, the 24-year-old shot 47.7% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc.
Earlier in April, Reid talked about wanting to win the award.
“That’s something that I want. I’m hungry for it. I want that. I think the impact, the record has shown it, our standing has shown it,” Reid said about winning the honor for best player off the bench. “I want it bad. I’m hungry for it.”
2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Winner Announced
Naz Reid Wasn’t the Only Player Who Wanted the Award
Numerous candidates spoke about wanting to take home the 6MOY award. Most recently was Los Angeles Clippers wing Norman Powell, who talked about being snubbed.
“I think it’s BS, to be honest… playing with four HOFers, limited touches… I think it sucks… at the end of the day, main focus is to win a championship”
Additionally, De’Aaron Fox campaigned for Monk, his Kings teammate, to win the award.
“I don’t even think it should be close honestly,” Fox said after the game, via Matt George of ABC10 in Sacramento. “I think he’s long and away the frontrunner for Sixth Man of the Year.”
Lastly, Portis recently said his post-All-Star Break performance should earn him the 6MOY award.
“I’ve been averaging 18 (points) a game since the All-Star Break though,” Portis interjected as these points were explained. (He is now at 16.7 points per game since the break.) “So, how am I not Sixth Man?”
Naz Reid is the first player to win the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award with the Timberwolves. He is also the third player to earn the honor after not being selected in the NBA Draft, joining John Starks (1996-97) and Darrell Armstrong (1998-99).
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 24, 2024
The Last Word on Naz Reid and the Minnesota Timberwolves
Reid was certainly deserving of the award. His performance off the bench this season is a big reason the Timberwolves are as successful as they are. As the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, the Timberwolves ended the regular season with a top record in the league. However, it is fair to wonder if Reid still would have won had Monk stayed healthy. For much of the season, Monk was considered the heavy favorite to win the award. Unfortunately for the Kentucky alum, he has been out of action for roughly a month due to a knee injury. Up to that point, he was leading Sacramento’s bench unit and was one of the best bench players in the league.
Regardless, Reid’s consistent play all season landed him the 6MOY award. Now, all eyes are on his Timberwolves this postseason as they are currently up 2-0 against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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