NBA Sixth Man of the Year: A Mid-Season Check In

The 2025–26 NBA season has produced a tightly contested Sixth Man of the Year race, with five high‑impact reserves—Ajay Mitchell, Keldon Johnson, Naz Reid, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Reed Sheppard—each making a valid case at the midway point. 

Now in his second NBA season, Mitchell has taken a major leap as OKC’s stabilizing bench guard. He’s averaging 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 48.7% shooting, including 35% from three and 87% at the line. His poise, efficiency, and ability to run the second unit have made him one of the league’s most reliable young guards.

Johnson has thrived in a bench role, delivering 13.3 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting an elite 56% from the field and 41% from deep. His physicality and improved shot selection have turned him into one of the NBA’s most efficient reserve scorers.

Coming off winning the award two years ago and finishing fifth last season, Reid remains a perennial Sixth Man contender, averaging 14.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists with strong shooting splits (47.5% FG, 39% 3PT). His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim gives Minnesota a starting-caliber big man off the bench.

Jaquez has emerged as Miami’s do‑everything connector, posting 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on 52.2% shooting. His blend of mid-post scoring, playmaking, and defensive versatility has been essential to Miami’s offensive flow. At 6’6”, 225 lbs, Jaquez has the ability to play either forward position depending on coach Eric Spoelstra’s game plan. 

As the third pick from the 2024 NBA Draft, he struggled to find constant minutes in the Rockets' rotation, but this year, Sheppard has quickly become one of the league’s most dangerous young shooters, averaging 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while hitting 40%+ from three. His off‑ball movement and defensive instincts make him a high‑impact spark plug for a Houston team that many have as one of the top contenders in the Western Conference.