Minnesota Timberwolves player Naz Reid has been named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Reid had a standout season, averaging 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game.
He shot an impressive 47.7% from the field and played in 81 games, including 14 starts. He becomes the first player in Timberwolves franchise history to win the award.
Minnesota Timberwolves C/F Naz Reid has won the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. pic.twitter.com/6kGtymrvvg
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 24, 2024
Meanwhile, Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings narrowly missed out on the award, receiving 43 first-place votes and 342 points. Bobby Portis Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks finished third with 81 points. Norman Powell and Bogdan Bogdanović also received votes.
The complete voting results for the 2023-24 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year. pic.twitter.com/wfP9hbqTOQ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 24, 2024
Reid’s victory is particularly remarkable considering he came off the bench for most of the season but was inserted into the starting lineup in March due to an injury to Karl-Anthony Towns. Reid’s strong performances in his 14 starts helped secure the award.
Reid joins John Starks and Darrell Armstrong as the only undrafted players to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. He is also the first non-guard to win since Montrezl Harrell in 2019-20.
In addition to the Sixth Man of the Year award, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers was named the Most Improved Player.
The NBA will announce the Clutch Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards in the following days, followed by the MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the coming weeks.
Fans reacted as follows:
Stole norm powell’s award
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 24, 2024
Malik Monk deserved it
— Alex Burns (@AlexBurnsHoops) April 24, 2024
well deserved
— J🐐 (@SixersJustin) April 24, 2024
First time I’ve ever seen a starter win Sixth man 🤣 🤣
— Robby Luttrell (@RobbyL89) April 24, 2024
110% Deserved
— Dark Web Informer (@DarkWebInformer) April 24, 2024
Holy deserved
— ɪᴍ.ʀɪʟᴇʏ シ ✞ ☘️ (@CookedByRiley0) April 24, 2024
norm powell snubbed
— ۟ (@allstarbarnes) April 24, 2024
WTF MONK SHOULD HAVE WON
— Monte McNair’s Burner (@monte_burner) April 24, 2024
Bobby Portis deserved it
— Alex Burns (@AlexBurnsHoops) April 24, 2024
He was better than Malik? Just wondering 😅
— ╰☆☆ ʲẸ𝓷ᑎ𝕚 ☆☆╮ (@BrowBron_) April 24, 2024
Okk While Reid may have had an impressive season, it's important to acknowledge the efforts of all players who have excelled in the sixth man role
— ZAQ RIDER (@zaqrider) April 24, 2024
Levert not even in the top 12💀
— HQ (@Cleve1andHQ) April 24, 2024
Bojan Bogdanovic getting a third place vote despite never cracking the top 6 of the Knicks rotation is amazing 😂
— Tom Thibadome, Owner of the Thibsdale Thibadome (@Thibadome) April 24, 2024
The team success philosophy is getting out of hand. Some teams are just better overall that doesn’t mean one player has greater value to his team than the other. Everyone should know Malik been the X factor for the Kings in back to back to seasons.
— Armon300 (@MAS4real) April 24, 2024
deserved, but Westbrook deserved more votes too.
— Space City br 🎙🚀 (@spacecitybr) April 24, 2024
Ya whoever wasted a vote on Jose is wild he not even the best 6th man on his own team
— TUXY DFS (@TuxyDFS) April 24, 2024
Release the voters. Whoever voted Malik out of the top 3 needs to be removed bc they clearly don’t watch
— Soren (@soren_flyin) April 24, 2024
Guarantee the Bojan vote is some old reporter who thought it was Bogdan
— BB24 (@BenBuchen24) April 24, 2024
Somebody please tell me, what did Naz do better than malik monk other than rebounds?
— Matt Powell (@matt_powell91) April 24, 2024
Feeling for Malik Monk today. 🙏 Despite leading the league in bench points for back-to-back seasons, an incredible feat not achieved in 35 years, he's yet to claim the 6MOY award. 🏀💔 His talent & contribution are undeniable. Keep shining, Malik. Your time will come! #NBAAwards
— Kenito Zack KE (@KenitoZack) April 24, 2024
This is such utter recency bias. No one deserved this over Malik Monk.. and by two votes. Naz started in a large part of the games to finish this season. Monk was strictly off the bench and a bigger difference maker in doing so. He also had superior stats. Just a joke. Snubbed.
— Brendan (@BStone1824) April 24, 2024
Bro Bobby played all 82 games and doesn't get no respect. The man definitely deserved it. Naz should have been 2nd
— E A Z Y ™ (@_ItsEvann) April 24, 2024
Malik got robbed… no need for debate.. rotation players and naz only came into play with Rudy an KAT being injured… needs to be players voted.. all awards.
— Devon Sheward (@Devon_Sheward5) April 24, 2024
