NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Rankings: Austin Reaves rises, Malik Monk falls

Last night, the Dallas Mavericks scored their least amount of points in a game this season. Dallas lost 107-88 to the LA Clippers in a disastrous offensive outing.

Only three Mavericks recorded a positive plus/minus. Perhaps more surprisingly, only two Mavs shot better than 50 percent from the floor. As a team, Dallas shot a season-low 37.4 percent from the field.

Dallas Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 12 points and recorded three rebounds in the game. He was only one of three Mavs in double digits.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Rankings: Austin Reaves rises, Malik Monk falls

Although Hardaway Jr. managed a double-digit outing, he attempted 14 shots to do so, only making five of them. Of course, it's in Hardaway Jr.'s nature to get up plenty of shots.

Despite the uneven games thrown in every now and then, Hardaway Jr. can just as easily have a highly efficient game on Tuesday night, against the Rockets.

Here, we'll further dissect the race for the Sixth Man Award and discuss Hardaway Jr.'s ranking as the battle continues to heat up.

10. Lonnie Walker IV

Last week's rank: N/A

Lonnie Walker IV ranks top 20 in the NBA in points per 36 minutes. The former Los Angeles Laker has been a sparkplug off the bench for the Brooklyn Nets in only 22.0 minutes per contest.

9. Cole Anthony

Last week's rank: N/A

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony has flown under the radar this season. The Magic are 11-5, and Anthony has been a big part of their successes. He averages 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists off the pine.

8. Bogdan Bogdanovic

Last week's rank: N/A

Bogdan Bogdanovic continues to do what he does well, put the ball in the hoop. However, the Hawks guard is shooting a career-low 34.8 percent from beyond the arc this season. Oddly enough, Bogdanovic is averaging a career-high in steals and blocks per game in his age-31 season.

7. Russell Westbrook

Last week's rank: N/A

Russell Westbrook ceded his starting spot just a few games ago. And while he hasn't produced to the best of his ability off the bench, he'll slot it in at number seven in these power rankings based on his potential as a difference-maker with the second unit.

6. Malik Monk

Last week's rank: 4

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk has reinvented himself as a bench playmaker. The former Wildcat averages 7.5 assists per 36 minutes. Despite providing immense value off the bench, his shooting, especially from two-point range, has taken a big dip.

5. Austin Reaves

Last week's rank: N/A

Los Angeles' next big thing surely looks better off the bench. Austin Reaves averages 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game as a reserve as opposed to 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists as a starter. Additionally, his shooting percentages have soared since he started to come off the bench.

When Reaves doesn't begin the ball game, he shoots 51.1 percent from the floor and 41.9 percent from distance. A far cry from the 41.6 percent and 27.8 percent splits he shot when he started.

He's also getting to the free-throw line more often and shooting it with great efficiency. The Lakers guard is shooting 85.7 percent from the line when coming off the bench as opposed to 80.8 percent as a starter.

Reaves looks like an entirely different player over the past nine games. His move to the bench has also helped the Lakers. Los Angeles is 7-2 when Reaves begins the game as a reserve.

With the second unit, Reaves can focus more on playmaking and initiating the offense. Just last night, the young guard recorded 10 assists off the bench.

Despite the increased percentages and counting stats, Reaves' usage rate has actually decreased as a reserve. Coming off the bench, Reaves' usage rate is now 20.8 percent. He isn't getting as many touches, but he's doing far more in his new role.

4. Chris Paul

Last week's rank: 5

Chris Paul has been starting as of late for the Golden State Warriors, albeit not too much team success. With Paul in the opening unit, the Warriors went 1-4, only defeating the Houston Rockets.

Two nights ago, against the San Antonio Spurs, the Warriors won the contest 118-112. Coming off the bench, Paul recorded a plus/minus of plus-16, the best amongst all Warriors players.

In that contest, he only scored five points. But, he added five rebounds and 10 assists. His second double-digit assist game as a reserve. And as always, Paul played a clean game. He only recorded one turnover in 29 minutes off the bench.

Unlike Reaves, Paul has played much better in a starting role. All counting statistics and percentages decrease when the 38-year-old comes off the bench. Nevertheless, Golden State is much better when Paul orchestrates the second unit.

When Paul starts, his plus/minus is -1.8. When he comes off the bench, his plus/minus skyrockets to a +11.1.

Throughout the course of his career, Paul shoots 47.1 percent from the floor and 36.9 percent from three. It's only a matter of time before his shooting splits round out to form.

Off the bench, CP3 is shooting 37.8 percent from the field and 21.9 percent from 3-point range. Paul's percentages will be closely monitored for these rankings. If he improves, his spot might be higher in a week.

3. Caris LeVert

Last week's rank: 3

The Brooklyn Nets swingman has had a tough go in recent outings but still sports fantastic stats off the bench. In two games since returning from injury, Caris LeVert averaged 9.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.

However, over the course of the season, LeVert holds averages of 16.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He's a skilled scorer and an advanced playmaker.

Alike many other Sixth Man candidates, LeVert substitutes efficiency for volume. This season, he's shooting just 41.9 percent from the floor and 31.1 percent from behind the arc. Both would be career lows if continued.

While LeVert lacks quality efficiency metrics, he's an indispensable part of the Cavaliers' roster. LeVert ranks in the top 50 in the NBA in usage rate. Whether he's playing with the first or second unit, he provides an abundance of playmaking.

Both Cleveland lead guards, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell miss about 10-to-15 games per year. Whenever one of the Cavs' stars is out of commission, LeVert is tasked with filling in, and he does so admirably.

Sans Mitchell, LeVert averages 17.7 points per game. And without Garland in the lineup, LeVert's averages hike up even more. LeVert averages 21.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in the absence of Garland.

2. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Last week's rank: 2

Since his 30-point explosion almost two weeks ago, Hardaway Jr. has cooled off considerably. He's shot below 50 percent from the floor and hasn't reached the 20-point plateau since the 15th of November.

The cold streak has worsened Hardaway Jr.'s stats, but he's still averaging 17.1 points per game, the most off the bench in his career. He's also chipping in 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 3-pointers per game.

Hardaway Jr.'s 3-point shooting might land him in the 3-point Contest this season. He's knocked down the third most threes in the NBA this year, behind only Steph Curry and Luka Doncic.

Most importantly for the Dallas Mavericks, Hardaway Jr.'s value is tied to winning. In wins, the Dallas sharpshooter averages 18.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. But in losses, Hardaway Jr. averages just 14.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Additionally, in 10 wins, Hardaway Jr. has only recorded six turnovers. In six losses, he's recorded eight turnovers despite a relatively similar usage rating.

Like the Mavericks, Hardaway Jr. is much improved this season. Although he's playing fewer minutes, he's averaging more points and attempting more shots. Despite the increased attempts, his percentages have also increased.

A role with the second unit seems to best fit Hardaway Jr.'s style of play. If the Dallas guard continues to pour in the points, he'll remain in the top three in these rankings. But, if he adds another facet or inflates his shooting splits, he may become the runaway favorite.

1. Immanuel Quickley

Last week's rank: 1

The last iteration of the rankings praised Immanuel Quickley's defense. And the former Wildcat has continued to display fantastic defense. Despite his small statute, he's a difference-maker on the less glamorous end.

His opponents shoot nearly two percentage points worse when Quickley is the defender. Additionally, he's adept at defending in the pick-and-roll and causing havoc with his on-ball defense.

Conversely, his offensive impact is easily traceable when assessing advanced analytics. Quickley is one of the most efficient players in the league. He ranks top 50 in most advanced analytics, including player efficiency rating (PER) and value over replacement player, VORP for short.

Both metrics are indicators of quality contributors, on both ends of the court. For instance, Quickley's PER is just below Mikal Bridges and right above James Harden. His VORP is on par with Damian Lillard and Dejounte Murray.

In Quickley's last five games, he's done more than enough to keep his spot atop these rankings. The Knicks guard has scored 20 or more in three of the past five contests.

Two nights ago, against the Miami Heat, Quickley poured in 20 points, while knocking down four 3-pointers. In doing so, he led the Knicks with a plus/minus of plus-20.

Not only does Quickley provide efficient offense and defense, but he also adds value as a three-level scorer. The young guard gets to the line more than three times per game and shoots 89.4 percent from the charity stripe. He also possesses an uncanny ability to score in close range with a lethal floater.

The New York guard is the third most important player on the Knicks, behind Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. His spot in the second unit is essential for the Knicks' success.