2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 10 Sixth Man Of The Year Candidates

Dec 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) points the the bench after making a three pointer in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Rockets won 111-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) attempts a shot against the Washington Wizards during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jordan Clarkson

Being the second-best sixth man on your team probably isn’t going to earn you very many votes in this category, but Jordan Clarkson deserves at least a shout-out for his production off the Los Angeles Lakers‘ bench.

Though Lou Williams was their true sixth man, the Lakers bench had one heck of a seventh man in Clarkson, who averaged 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Combined with Lou Will, those two spearheaded the NBA’s highest scoring second unit.

Sure, that may have been because Los Angeles’ starting lineup lacked real firepower, but Clarkson nearly matched his production from last season in about three fewer minutes per game. He may never pan out as a starting-caliber floor general, but at the very least he’s shown he can provide scoring off the bench.

If he can improve on his 32.9 percent shooting from three-point range, Clarkson’s ceiling as a sixth man might not be the worst thing for his individual career or for the Lakers.