One thing has become clear, the Philadelphia 76ers have upgraded their depth this offseason. The biggest bench addition for the Sixers is De’Anthony Melton who is presumed to take on the role of being the team’s sixth man.
Melton has a real chance to break out this season with no other true guard competition on the roster, no disrespect to Shake Milton. However, how well will Melton compare to the other Sixth men entering this upcoming season?
That being written, this offseason seems like the ideal time to rank each sixth man in the NBA. These are just projected sixth men and obviously, things can change as the season starts. If a player isn’t healthy, then they won’t be included on this list.
30. Jalen Smith, PF/C
Despite being a failed lottery pick on the Phoenix Suns, Jalen Smith showed flashes of potential on the Indiana Pacers last season. The big has a chance to shine behind Myles Turner. However, if Turner gets traded he may start for the Pacers.
29. Tre Mann, G
Despite Chet Hologram set to miss the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder still have an exciting young core. Second year guard, Tre Man is a part of that core and he showed real flashes of being a scorer last season. With a healthy backcourt entering the season, Mann will be coming off the bench and should provide a nice scoring punch as a result.
28. Kelly Olynyk, PF/C
Kelly Olynyk is one of the few veterans on this young Detriot Pistons team. They have quality guard depth but there are still questions in the front court and that’s where Olynyk can have an impact coming off the bench to provide spacing as a shooter.
27. Kendrick Nunn, G
Despite missing all of last season, Kendrick Nunn is still the best reserve that the Los Angeles Lakers have. When he was a member of the Miami Heat, the young guard was a solid two-way player and he can be that for the Lakers this year.
26. Devonte’ Graham, PG
Last season proved that Devonte’ Graham isn’t an NBA starter. The New Orleans Pelicans struggled with him as a starter and he struggled too. He’s the type of guy who can get 20 points on any given night off the bench and that’s something any playoff team needs. If he was more efficient, then he’d be higher on this list.
25. Doug McDermott, F
Let’s be clear, Doug McDermott isn’t the ideal sixth man to have on your team if you’re a contender. However, the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs aren’t a contender, and they have a lottery pick in Jeremy Sochan who is set to start at power forward. That means McDermott is coming off the bench and he’s their best player in that scenario. It should be noted that Josh Primo could overtake this role during the season.
24. Rui Hachimura/Deni Avdija, PF
This is the only ranking where there is a tie. The Washington Wizards have an overabundance of depth at the forward position. Rui Hachimura needs to become a better defender and Deni Avdija still is missing a jump shot. Whoever makes the next step in their development will be the team’s sixth man next season.
23. P.J. Washington, PF/C
For several seasons now, P.J. Washington has been the best reserve for the Charlotte Hornets. This could change if Montrezl Harrell does re-sign with the roster now that his legal problems appear to be over. However, Washington is a two-way stretch big man who is undervalued in the league.
22. Bruce Brown, F/G
In a surprising move this offseason, Bruce Brown left the Brooklyn Nets for the Denver Nuggets. Brown is one of the best defenders in the NBA and has become playable on offense. With his ability to cut, his fit with Nikola Jokic should make him even better on offense.
21. Josh Hart, G/F
Honestly, I wish I could have Josh Hart higher on this list, but being on a team like the Portland Trail Blazers he might not get enough shots as he would on other teams. He’s one of the best rebounding wings in the league and a solid two-way player.
20. Tyus Jones, PG
Last season Tyus Jones was quietly one of the best backup point guards in the NBA. He’s not the flashiest but he makes the right plays and is a good offensive player. It should be noted that Ziaire Williams could very well become the best reserve for the Memphis Grizzlies next season.
19. Otto Porter Jr., F
After winning a title with the Golden State Warriors this past postseason, Otto Porter Jr. joined the Toronto Raptors during the summer. Porter could start for most teams, but he’s an elite 3-and-D reserve who fits into his role.
18. Eric Gordon, G/F
Once upon a time, Eric Gordon won the Sixth Man of the Year, but now the veteran is set to waste the last of his prime on the rebuilding Houston Rockets. Gordon is a good two-way player and a playoff team should try to trade for him.
17. Andre Drummond, C
Let’s be clear, if Lonzo Ball was set to be healthy at the beginning of the year, then Alex Caruso would be in the spot for the Chicago Bulls and higher on this list. However, that’s not the case and former Sixers reserve Andre Drummond is in this spot. Drummond is one of the best backup centers in the NBA and could start for about half the teams in the NBA.
16. Kyle Anderson, F
After making a name for himself in Memphis, Kyle Anderson has found a new home on the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason. Anderson’s game is a bit unorthodox, but he can score, defender, and be a playmaker with a second unit. With the “twins-towers” in Minnesota, Anderson could take on a Lamar Odom type of role that he had when the Lakers won titles with Paul Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
15. De’Anthony Melton, G
The Sixers’ sixth man De’Anthony Melton comes in on this list at the midway point. He could end up being higher on this list depending on how big of a step he takes this season. Head coach Doc Rivers has had three Sixth Man of the Year award winners in his career and he could develop Melton into that role.
14. Onyeka Okongwu, C
Last season, the Atlanta Hawks saw Clint Capela take a step back last season. Assuming Capela doesn’t fall off a cliff he should still start, but he could lose more minutes to young big man Onyeka Okongwu who’s quietly one of the better young centers in the NBA.
13. Derrick Rose, PG
Derrick Rose was once an MVP and has now become one of the best backup point guards in the NBA. The New York Knicks missed Rose for the majority season because of injuries. When healthy, Rose is elite as a bench scorer.
12. Patty Mills, G
Patty Mills was so important to the Brooklyn Nets last season and as one of their 3-and-D players, he’s set to have a big season with the Sixers former playmaker in Ben Simmons passing out for three-pointers. He might never win Sixth Man of the Year, but he has been one of the best sixth men in the league for the better part of a decade.
11. Jordan Clarkson, G
Despite being a recent winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award, Jordan Clarkson might not be set to have a big season. He’s currently on the rebuilding of Utah Jazz and if he starts the season with them, the chances of having a hot start are minimal.
10. Cole Anthony, G
The Orlando Magic have quality guard depth and it appears that Cole Anthony might be the odd man out of the starting five. This is probably for the better as he has all the tools to become an elite bench scorer. He might be a dark horse candidate for the Sixth Man of the year award, especially if the Magic start winning.
9. Tim Hardaway Jr., G/F
Figuring out the Dallas Mavericks’ starting five isn’t an easy task, but for this article’s sake let’s assume Spencer Dinwiddie starts over Tim Hardaway Jr. If that does happen, Hardaway Jr. has proven to be a solid three-level scorer who can create his own offense at the wing position.
8. Cameron Johnson, F
Unless Jae Crowder takes a massive step back, it’s safe to assume Cameron Johnson will continue to come off the bench for the Phoenix Suns. Johnson has become a very good 3-and-D wing. He’d start on a majority of teams in the NBA.
7. Bobby Portis, C/PF
The fit between Bobby Portis and the Milwaukee Bucks is seamless. He’s a stretch big who’s improved defensively since arriving to the franchise. Whenever Brook Lopez declines, Portis would be an ideal fit next to Giannis Antetokounmpo moving forward.
6. Richaun Holmes, C
The front-court situation for the Sacramento Kings is tricky. Richaun Holmes isn’t a natural fit next to All-Star big man Domontas Sabonis. That means Holmes is coming off the bench even though he’d start for a decent amount of teams in the NBA. There is a chance that if Davion Mitchell takes a big step in his development he could become the team’s sixth man.
5. Jordan Poole, G
There’s no denying that Jordan Poole is the Golden State Warriors starting shooting guard of the future. However, with Klay Thompson having a healthy offseason, it’s almost certain that Poole is still going to be an elite sixth man at the moment.
4. Norman Powell, G/F
Choosing the sixth man for the Los Angeles Clippers was tricky due to their elite depth. However, Norman Powell seems like the safe bet. He’s a three-level scorer who can play on and off the ball which is something that the Clippers need with their two superstars being so ball-dominate. It should be noted that if Reggie Jackson loses the starting job to John Wall, he can be a candidate for this as well.
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3. Kevin Love, PF/C
Former All-Star Kevin Love turned himself into the best backup big man in the NBA last season and there’s little reason why he can’t do the same thing again for the Cleveland Cavaliers this year. He’s a stretch big man who can rebound and pass at a high level who’s is an ideal mentor for this young club.
2. Malcolm Brogdon, G
Let’s be clear, the Boston Celtics trading for Malcolm Brogdon could be the best offseason considering what they gave up to acquire him. He’s an All-Star caliber player and with them having an elite starting five, it only makes sense to have him come off the bench. He’s a real candidate to be this upcoming season’s Sixth Man of the Year if he stays healthy.
1. Tyler Herro, SG
Of course, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year has the highest spot in this ranking. He was a 20-point-per-game scorer off the bench last season for the Miami Heat and that doesn’t seem like it will change entering next year.
Agree with where the Sixers’ sixth man is ranked? Comment below if you would have Melton lower or higher on this list.