With averages of 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game this season, Austin Reaves is posting numbers that rival historic sixth men. While his on-court impact metrics and championship-level contributions still trail behind legendary bench players like Manu Ginóbili and Kevin McHale, Reaves has firmly entered the conversation among elite bench contributors for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Evolution of Sixth Man Excellence
The NBA’s sixth man role has evolved dramatically since Bobby Jones claimed the inaugural award 1983. What began as a utility player position became a specialized art form. Today’s elite sixth men are expected to provide instant offense, stabilize rotations, and deliver in clutch moments—all while accepting a reduced role for team success.
Historic sixth-man winners have set a remarkably high bar for statistical production and team impact. Ricky Pierce averaged 23.0 points per game in 1990, the highest scoring average for a Sixth Man of the Year winner, while Jason Terry averaged the most playing time for a winner, with 33.7 minutes per game during the 2008-09 season.
The most successful sixth men in NBA history share common traits: They excel in specific skill areas, maintain consistent production, and elevate their play in meaningful games. Manu Ginóbili is regarded as the most successful sixth man, a four-time NBA champion who exemplified the blend of individual excellence and team success. Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams each won the award thrice, tying for the most in the NBA’s history.
Austin Reaves: Statistical Comparison
Reaves’ current season statistics place him firmly in elite territory among bench contributors. His averages of 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds demonstrate the well-rounded impact that modern sixth man voters value. For context, when James Harden won the award in 2012, he averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game—numbers Reaves has now surpassed across the board.
Reaves’ efficiency metrics are equally impressive. He is shooting at career-high levels while maintaining substantial usage rates, a combination that historically correlates with sixth man success. While many past winners built their cases on pure scoring volume, Reaves brings a playmaking dimension that separates good bench players from great ones.
When comparing advanced metrics, Reaves shows promise but has not yet reached the impact levels of legendary sixth men. Kevin McHale was the first player in NBA history to win the award on back-to-back occasions while contributing to multiple championships, setting a standard for sustained excellence beyond single-season production.
The Modern Sixth Man Landscape
This season’s sixth man race provides essential context for evaluating Reaves’ candidacy. Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is the recipient of the John Havlicek Trophy as the 2024-25 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Pritchard averaged career highs of 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 28.4 minutes per game, shooting an impressive 47.2% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range.
Pritchard’s win illustrates how the award often goes to players who maximize their efficiency within defined roles. His 1,079 points off the bench were the most in the NBA, and he ranked fifth among all NBA players in three-pointers made, hitting a career-high 255. This sets a benchmark for what voters value: high-volume production and excellent shooting efficiency.
The betting markets, where platforms like SpinBet offer odds on NBA awards, including Sixth Man of the Year, have historically been accurate predictors of award outcomes. Reaves’ positioning in these markets throughout the season reflected his excellence and the challenge of standing out in a competitive field.
Championship Impact and Clutch Performance
What separates good sixth men from historically great ones is their ability to elevate their play when the stakes are highest. Bill Walton is the lone player in NBA history to win League MVP, Finals MVP, and Sixth Man of the Year, representing the pinnacle of individual achievement across different roles.
Reaves has shone brightest in big moments, such as his 28-point performance in the In-Season Tournament Finals. However, he still needs to prove himself in the NBA’s ultimate proving ground: the playoffs. Historic sixth men like Robert Horry won seven championships and hit the game-winning shot in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, while Vinnie Johnson hit the game-winning shot in Game 5 of the 1990 NBA Finals. These moments define legacies and separate outstanding players from legends.
Advanced Metrics and Usage Rates
Modern NBA analysis relies heavily on advanced metrics to evaluate player impact, and Reaves shows encouraging signs in several key areas. The Lakers have outscored opponents by 5.5 points per 100 possessions when Reaves is on the court and coming off the bench, indicating his positive impact on team performance.
His usage rate and efficiency combination suggest he can handle increased responsibility without sacrificing effectiveness—a crucial trait for sixth men who often enter games during important stretches. The best historical sixth men maintained their efficiency despite handling significant offensive loads, and Reaves appears capable of following this pattern.
MIP-Level Impact Assessment
Whether Reaves can achieve Most Improved Player-level impact hinges on individual growth and team success. His statistical leap from previous seasons demonstrates the kind of improvement that MIP voters traditionally reward. However, recent trends show voters considering players already averaging 20 or more points in the prior season, which could complicate Reaves’ case.
Reaves’ transition from role player to primary offensive contributor represents precisely the type of evolution that defines breakthrough seasons. His continued growth and postseason impact will be key factors in determining his place among the all-time greats in this role.
The Elite Conversation
Can Austin Reaves join the elite sixth man conversation? The statistical evidence suggests he is already there in terms of production. His 20+ point scoring average places him among the highest-scoring sixth men in recent history, while his playmaking adds a dimension that many past winners lacked.
The missing elements are sustained excellence and championship-level impact. Manu Ginóbili is the only award winner to be named to an All-NBA team in the same season, representing the absolute ceiling for sixth man achievement. Reaves has not reached this level yet, but his trajectory suggests it is possible.
While encouraging, his advanced metrics need time to prove they translate to long-term success. The Lakers’ team performance with Reaves in the sixth man role will ultimately determine whether his brilliance translates to the team success that defines elite bench contributors.
Verdict: Not Out of the Question
Austin Reaves has positioned himself as a legitimate sixth-man star, posting numbers that compare favorably with historic award winners. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and efficiency represents everything modern NBA teams want from their primary bench contributor.
However, joining the elite sixth man conversation requires more than excellent regular-season statistics. The legends of this role—Ginóbili, Crawford, Williams, and McHale—proved themselves in the most significant moments while contributing to championship-level success.
Reaves appears to have the talent and opportunity to reach these heights. Whether he does will depend on his ability to maintain this level of play over multiple seasons while helping the Lakers achieve playoff success. The foundation is there; now comes the test of turning potential into legacy. The 2024-25 season saw Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics take home the Sixth Man of the Year award, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and three-point shooting off the bench. Reaves’ continued growth and postseason impact will be key factors in determining his place among the all-time greats in this role.
