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

The 2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year (6MOTY) race appears wide open to conclude Week 5 of the season.

Many of the league's top bench scorers took noticeable steps back over the past seven days. That opened the door for a defensive-oriented player to ascend the 6MOTY rankings. Meanwhile, a reserve from the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers entered the race amid his consistent offensive production.

On that note, here are the top five 6MOTY candidates after Week 5.

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

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#5 Ty Jerome

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Ty Jerome (Image Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

Cavaliers point guard Ty Jerome has played a key role in his squad's NBA-best 17-1 record, steadying Cleveland's second unit.

Jerome is providing efficient scoring, shooting and playmaking, and has proven he can take on an increased offensive workload when the Cavaliers are shorthanded.

Over 18 contests, 16 off the bench, Jerome is averaging 12.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 3-pointers per game. Meanwhile, he has blistering 59.7/54.4/87.9 shooting splits.

The sixth-year guard has recorded 20-plus points, five-plus assists and four-plus triples in three of his last four outings.

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#4 Naz Reid

Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (Image Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Reigning 6MOTY Naz Reid is among those who regressed last week, scoring five points or fewer in two straight games. He has also shot sub-45.0% in four of his last five contests.

Nevertheless, the floor-spacing center is scoring efficiently for the season. Across 16 appearances, Reid is averaging 13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 2.1 3pg on 49.1/39.8/90.6 shooting splits.

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#3 Payton Pritchard

Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard (Image Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard has cooled off after his scorching-hot start, scoring in single digits in four of his last six games. However, the fifth-year guard has still been an offensive sparkplug for the defending NBA champions (14-3) most of the season.

Through 17 contests, Pritchard is averaging 14.5 ppg, 2.9 apg, 1.1 spg and 3.4 3pg, shooting 46.9%, 41.3% from deep and 86.7% at the free-throw line.

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#2 Buddy Hield

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Buddy Hield (Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Like Payton Pritchard, Golden State Warriors shooting guard Buddy Hield's scoring and 3-point shooting volume have dropped off recently. The nine-year veteran has scored 12 points or fewer in four consecutive outings.

Nevertheless, Hield ranks second in bench scoring among players with 10-plus games played off the pine. Over 16 appearances, 15 as a reserve, he is averaging 15.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 3.5 3pg on 47.2/44.1/88.9 shooting splits for the Western Conference-leading 12-4 Warriors squad.

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#1 Tari Eason

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (Image Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images)

While many offensive-minded bench players have experienced a production decrease, Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason continues to wreak havoc with his defensive tenacity.

Across 16 outings, Eason ranks third in the NBA in steals per night (2.2), racking up 14 swipes over his last four contests. Meanwhile, he is averaging 11.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 1.1 bpg, shooting 50.9%.

The third-year forward has given an edge to a young Houston team that ranks third in the West (12-6). Consequently, he and fellow Rockets reserve Amen Thompson, who is also building a compelling 6MOTY case, have garnered the nickname the "Terror Twins."

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