NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Sixth Man Of The Year Award In 2016-17

Mar 6, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) keeps a ball in bound against Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Thunder beat the Bucks 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) looks on during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won in overtime 114-111. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon has started all but 20 games of his 417-game career, so his new role with the Houston Rockets will be an adjustment. But because of injuries and the well-documented flaws in the other areas of his game, Gordon might be best suited for a sixth man role in a high-powered offense.

With James Harden being a superstar and the Rockets needing Patrick Beverley‘s defense to cover for Harden’s flaws on that end, Houston’s backcourt was already set. But just because Gordon will be relegated to bench duty doesn’t mean he’ll have a less important role within the offense.

Eric Gordon described his persistent injuries with Pelicans as 'flukes' https://t.co/bur6T6F12z
— John Reid (@JohnReid64) July 10, 2016

Under Mike D’Antoni, Harden will be empowered like never before, and having shooters like Eric Gordon on the perimeter will be a key factor.

If Gordon can just play at least 70 games, average around the 15.2 points per game he put up last season and hover in the 40 percent range from three-point territory, the Rockets could have landed the upcoming Sixth Man of the Year over the summer.