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With 2019 about to come to an end, it is the perfect time to reflect on the race to be named Sixth Man of the Year. With more than two months of the 2019-20 season now in the books, we have had plenty of time to assess the performance of several notable reserves around the league, and there are plenty of individuals that have a shot at ending Lou Williams' recent monopoly of the award. So, as we prepare to enter January, here we will take a look at the leading contenders to be named 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
#5 Dāvis Bertāns - Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards have made a dismal 9-22 start to the season, although Dāvis Bertāns has been able to thrive with his new team following his offseason trade from the San Antonio Spurs. Bertāns was highly regarded within San Antonio, although the front office allowed the Latvian to complete a trade to Washington as they lined up a move for Marcus Morris.
Bertāns averaged 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds from the bench during his final season with the Spurs, and while he has once again had to settle for a reserve role in Washington, Bertāns has managed to contribute 15.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 30.0 minutes per contest. The 27-year-old has also connected with 44.9 percent of his 8.6 three-point attempts per game - and in addition to being well on his way to securing a big payday as a free agent next summer - Bertāns could even secure a move to a contending team for the remainder of the season.
#4 Derrick Rose - Detroit Pistons
Derrick Rose excelled for the Minnesota TImberowlves in a backup role last season, although many questioned the Detroit Pistons' decision to sign him to a two-year, $15 million deal during the offseason. Nevertheless, the 2011 MVP has once again been excellent in a reserve role, and through 27 appearances this season (1 start) Rose has averaged 16.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per contest.
Rose's impressive numbers have also come in just 24.4 points per game - and the former Chicago star is shooting a career-high 49.1 percent from the field. Calls remain for Rose to be installed into Detroit's starting five, although with any chance of that unlikely - the former All-Star will be among the contenders to be named Sixth Man of the Year.
#3 Dennis Schroder - Oklahoma City Thunder
Despite the offseason departure of Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schroder has been forced to once again settle for a place on the Oklahoma City Thunder bench. Nevertheless, the German star has once again been able to show exactly why he is the best backup point guard in the NBA. Dating back to Dec 10., Schroder has averaged almost 25 points per game, and for the season, the 26-year-old is averaging 18.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per contest.
Schroder is also shooting a career-high 47 percent from the field, and the former Atlanta Hawks star has connected with 35% of his 5.1 three-point attempts per game. Schroder's role in elevating the Thunder back into playoff contention will also boost his visibility, and he will be a real contender if he remains in Oklahoma City past the trade deadline.
Also read: Dennis Schroder fined $25,000 by the NBA
#2 Montrezl Harrell - LA Clippers
Montrezl Harrell struggled to make much of an impact during his first two seasons in the league with the Houston Rockets, although now in his third season with the LA Clippers, Harrell has managed to establish himself among the NBA's best reserves. Harrell finished the 2018-19 season averaging 16.6 points - and the 25-year-old has started the new season in even better form, averaging 19.0 points on 57.5 percent shooting during his 33 appearances for LA so far this season.
Harrell has also averaged 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game - and the center's all-around impact from the bench has been immense as the Clippers have been forced to contend with a number of injury absences over the first two months of the season.
#1 Lou Williams - LA Clippers
Lou Williams has been named Sixth Man of the Year in back-to-back seasons, and he entered the campaign as the heavy favorite to win the award for a record fourth time. Despite some inconsistent shooting performances, Williams has been able to live up to his billing the most part, and the 33-year-old is currently averaging 19.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game for a contending Clippers team.
No other reserve in the NBA can match Williams' numbers, although it is worth noting that this is statistically the veterans worst season since the 2016-17 campaign, and voters may be eager to see another individual win the award this year. Ultimately, the veteran has done enough to lead the pack heading into the new year, although he faces a major battle to keep hold of his title.
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