Cavs: Jordan Clarkson’s top competition for Sixth Man of the Year
The Cleveland Cavaliers top bench option Jordan Clarkson is well known as one of the best sixth man options in the NBA. Who are his top competitors for the NBA sixth man of the year award this season?
Last season, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson had the best statistical season of his career and he will likely duplicate, or improve upon that this season as there will be ample opportunity for him with the Cavs.
Per Basketball-Reference, Clarkson finished the 2018-19 season with per-game averages of 16.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Some of the players who finished in front of him in the voting this past season are either projected to start this season (Domantas Sabonis) or won’t have as big of a role (Dennis Schroder).
#6 – Enes Kanter – Boston Celtics
In what is perhaps a surprising development, Enes Kanter, who signed with the Celtics as the presumed replacement to Al Horford, has come off of the bench in all three of the Celtics pre-season games this season.
Through three preseason games, it’s been a bit of a struggle for Kanter. He has averaged 17.3 minutes, just 6.3 points, and 6.3 rebounds per game (per NBA.com).
However, it is only the preseason and he will likely be on the floor for more than 17 minutes per game, and be more productive. He has shown as much throughout his career as he has averaged 13.7 points, and 9.8 rebounds per-game per Basketball-Reference.
#5 – Tim Hardaway Jr. – Dallas Mavericks
Tim Hardaway Jr. appears to be the odd man out in regards to the Mavericks’ starting lineup. Although he has started two games, one of those two games was with the Mavericks two best players, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, out for rest, and Courtney Lee, his main competition, only played four minutes in that contest.
Hardaway Jr. may be better suited with the Mavericks to help lead the second unit and provide some scoring punch off of the bench. They have Doncic and Porzingis to carry the load for the starting unit and don’t necessarily need his scoring with both of them on the floor.
With the Mavericks last season, Hardaway Jr. had per-game averages of 18.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per Basketball-Reference.