NBA 6th Man of the Year (6MOTY) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 3 ft. Naz Reid

As Week 3 of the 2024-25 NBA season winds down, the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year (6MOTY) race remains in flux.

Some candidates experienced a steep drop-off over the past week (Tre Mann). Meanwhile, others embraced starting opportunities (Bennedict Mathurin), taking them out of the running.

However, a couple of sharpshooting guards still lead the pack, with some dark horses emerging.

On that note, here are the top five 6MOTY candidates after Week 3.

---

Top 5 2024-25 NBA 6th Man of the Year (6MOTY) candidates after Week 3

---

#5 Tari Eason

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (Image Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

Third-year forward Tari Eason has come on strong lately, providing the Houston Rockets (6-4) with a two-way spark off their bench.

Eason has scored in double figures in five of his last six outings. Meanwhile, he is rebounding well and racking up steals at an elite rate.

Across 10 contests, Eason is averaging 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.2 3-pointers per game, shooting 55.2% and 41.4% from 3-point range. He's tied for sixth in the NBA in swipes.

---

#4 Scotty Pippen Jr.

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (Image Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. transitioned to a starting role over the past two games, with star point guard Ja Morant sidelined. Morant is considered week-to-week due to a hip injury, so Pippen should continue starting in his absence.

Nevertheless, Pippen has come off the pine in nine of 11 outings thus far, with the Grizzlies going 7-4. He has been the top playmaker among reserves while scoring efficiently and playing strong perimeter defense.

The third-year guard is averaging 12.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.5 apg and 1.0 spg, shooting 52.1% and 43.8% from 3.

---

#3 Naz Reid

Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (Image Credit: Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

Defending 6MOTY, Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid, has again delivered steady efficient production this season. Reid remains one of the league's top shooting big men and a solid rebounder.

Through 10 appearances, Reid is averaging 14.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 2.3 3pg, shooting 53.8%, 47.9% from downtown and 94.7% at the free-throw line. He dropped a season-high 25 points during Minnesota's (6-4) 114-93 Nov. 4 home win over the Charlotte Hornets.

---

#2 Payton Pritchard

Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard (Image Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images)

Payton Pritchard continues to supply an offensive spark off the bench for the defending champion Boston Celtics (9-2). He has scored 15-plus points and made three-plus 3s in five consecutive games and nine of his last 10.

Across 11 contests, the sharpshooting point guard is averaging 16.5 ppg and 3.9 3pg, shooting 47.6%, 43.0% from deep and 95.5% at the line.

Given Boston's record, if Pritchard maintains his consistency, he could soon establish himself as the 6MOTY favorite.

---

#1 Buddy Hield

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Buddy Hield (Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Buddy Hield has cooled off a bit after his blistering hot start, scoring in single digits the past two contests.

Nevertheless, his shooting efficiency is remarkable through 10 outings, including nine off the bench. The nine-year veteran is averaging 18.0 ppg and 4.0 3pg, shooting 50.0%, 48.8% from long distance and 85.7% at the charity stripe. Meanwhile, he leads Golden State (8-2) in total points (180) and triples (40).

However, Hield needs to get back on track soon to maintain his 6MOTY frontrunner status.

---