Aaron Wiggins has already made an impression on the Atlanta Hawks and their devout fanbase in the six games he’s played. The 27-year-old is fresh off a 20-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His diverse skillset was a major factor in Atlanta’s 114-111 win, and the former NBA champion is showing no signs of slowing down. If he doesn’t, the Hawks could have a strong candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
Analyzing Wiggins’ role and ceiling in Atlanta
The entire league saw him hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy on stage with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025, and from that very moment, he was destined for a bigger role. Although he averaged just 9.4 points behind Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, Wiggins had always proven to be a reliable scorer.
His best performance with the Thunder came on February 1, 2025, when he exploded for 41 points against the Sacramento Kings, shooting 16-for-30 from the field and grabbing 14 rebounds.
Now, 20 months later, he’s the Hawks' third-leading scorer without starting. He’s averaging 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Aaron seems to have found his niche in Atlanta.
Wiggins is the second unit's best shot creator, and playing alongside Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings will provide many scoring opportunities in the future. These two are vital to Atlanta’s success this season, as the young ball club is expected to make a playoff appearance in April.
Why Aaron has a major chance to win 6MOTY
Making the postseason will taste even sweeter after a Hawks player wins an award for the third consecutive year. He can easily maintain this consistency all year, and his competition right now are the usual candidates.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard is the leading favorite to claim the award once again at +230, and Thunder guard Jared McCain is second at +650.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday is third at +1300, leaving Atlanta’s very own Aaron Wiggins in fourth place with +1800 odds to win. These odds are certainly subject to change, and we all know voter fatigue is a real thing in the NBA.
Wiggins can become a clear contender if the Hawks can keep stringing some wins together. Some were surprised to see them defeat the Cavaliers after dropping the last two games to Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
Now the Hawks face an easier schedule with the New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards 2x, and Brooklyn Nets on the horizon. So, they must pass a few upcoming tests to see whether they’ve learned from their early-season mistakes and can start the year with a win streak.
Their record will be vital to Wiggins' chances of bringing the award back to Atlanta.
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