NBA Sixth Man of the Year 2025-26 Betting Preview: Odds, Favorites, Predictions

Naz Reid (+300)

Two years after being honored as the league’s top bench player, Reid is back in the running again. He couldn’t keep pace with the Boston Celtics’ Payton Pritchard last season, but he’s on track for two awards in three years.

If the season were to end today, Reid would post career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game. Through 39 games, he has averaged 14.4 points on 46.7% shooting from the field. He’s also a threat from beyond the arc, knocking down a respectable 38.1% of his three-point attempts.

say it with us:

NAZ REID. pic.twitter.com/5OylFB2nHN

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 10, 2026

He’s also hauled in 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.9 steals per game this season. This versatility is what makes Reid a more complete player than his competition for Sixth Man of the Year. The 26-year-old is capable of being effective both near the rim and from 30 feet away.

Additionally, and most importantly, Reid is an above-average defender. He’s been largely inconsistent on that end throughout his career, but he’s making an impact in 2025-26. Note that Reid’s 0.9 blocks per game put him well ahead of Johnson and Jaquez.

With a 114.1 defensive rating, Reid is regarded as a solid defender, but Jaquez and Johnson rank ahead of him. Reid’s all-around game makes him one of the best NBA 6th Man of the Year betting picks to consider.

Keldon Johnson (+400)

Johnson’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds have skyrocketed over the last two months. He opened the season as a +2500 longshot but is now among the top contenders. Jaquez and Johnson will likely trade spots for the second-shortest odds the rest of the way.

At 6’6” with a 6’9” wingspan, the former Kentucky guard doesn’t sound especially big for a small forward, but he plays much larger than his measurements. Johnson is a spark plug off the bench who does a lot of the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.

He’s a high-energy scorer who can heat up in a hurry. The 26-year-old has scored 25+ points in four games this season, including a recent outburst against the Lakers on January 7.

Efficient shooting from Keldon Johnson tonight!

🎯 27 PTS
🎯 11-13 FGM

Spurs defeat the Lakers at home. pic.twitter.com/zcoKNvllYD

— NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2026

Overall, Johnson is averaging 13.7 points per game on ultra-efficient 57% shooting from the field. He’s also a proven threat from downtown, hitting 41.2% from three, a mark that would be a new career high.

The consistency and efficiency from the former starter is what makes him one of the most desirable candidates to win the award this season.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+675)

Jaquez Jr. has bounced back after a disappointing sophomore season. His scoring has improved from 8.6 points to 16.2 points, rebounds from 4.4 to 5.3, and assists from 2.5 to 4.6. The former UCLA product is also shooting 53.3% from the field.

ANKLE BREAKER + POSTER THE SAME PLAY 😱

JAIME JAQUEZ JR., HOW DO YOU DO?! 😳 pic.twitter.com/Qn3PyHwYJS

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 8, 2025

The Heat have been playing at the league’s fastest pace, and it has unlocked Jaquez Jr., who also dealt with injuries last season. Jaquez Jr. will stay on the bench now that Tyler Herro is back, but he gives the team a balance when Herro or Norman Powell need to take a breather.

Jaquez’s odds to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year didn’t offer much value for bettors at +270 earlier in the season. However, at +675, you have to start considering him. That’s a rather large price on a player who is in tight contention and should be available at shorter odds.

There’s a lot of basketball left to be played, and I don’t see much separation between the top three favorites. Nevertheless, he can be hot and cold, which works against him in the race with Reid and Johnson.

Anthony Black (+750)

There hasn’t been much noise around Anthony Black’s Sixth Man of the Year campaign, but he’s quietly putting together a résumé that deserves serious consideration. Black has provided a major spark off the bench, helping keep the Orlando Magic firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

The 21-year-old guard is averaging 15.7 points per game on 45.6% shooting from the field, along with 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in the 2025-26 season. He’s flashed his defensive versatility throughout the year, positioning himself as a legitimate second-tier contender in the Sixth Man of the Year race.

Anthony Black 26-5-7-3 (9/10 FG), +17 pic.twitter.com/1hBeDa5eYc

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 11, 2026

The former Arkansas Razorback is a tenacious on-ball defender who doesn’t hesitate to pressure opposing ball handlers. When you pair that with his evolving offensive game and confident shooting stroke, it’s clear Anthony Black isn’t going anywhere in the 2025-26 NBA Sixth Man of the Year betting markets.

Reed Sheppard (+1000)

Houston Rockets’ guard Reed Sheppard’s NBA 6MOY odds have slipped slightly, but he is still in the hunt. Sheppard had the third-best price at +875 in late November, so he is still hanging around.

The 21-year-old sophomore didn’t see the floor as much last season as a rookie with just 12.6 minutes per game. He’s more than doubled that mark and is taking advantage of more time on the floor. In 25.8 minutes, Sheppard has recorded 13.3 points per game on 44.5% shooting.

He is developing into a pesky defender and has swiped 1.5 steals per game. As of January 11, Sheppard has logged a steal in seven of his previous eight games. I don’t believe Sheppard is that far behind the top favorites, so at +1000, he’s worth keeping tabs on.