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Josh Okogie backs Houston Rockets teammate to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year award next season

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Oct 5, 2025 7:00 AM ET

Josh Okogie is starting the campaign to help his teammate bring the Sixth Man of the Year award to the Houston Rockets.

The Houston Rockets are ready to push for an NBA championship next season, after rebuilding their roster over the last few years.

The final piece of the puzzle was landing Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. With a true #1 scoring option now on their roster, the Rockets are in prime position to compete for a title.

However, their chances have taken a big hit since the Rockets announced Fred VanVleet’s injury, as they no longer have a starting point guard.

But it appears the Rockets aren’t too worried about it. In fact, one of the internal replacements for VanVleet is being supported by his teammates to win the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Josh Okogie predicts Tari Eason to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year award

Josh Okogie interrupted Tari Eason during the Houston Rockets’ media availability session to talk him up to the press.

He told the reporters present that he is backing his young teammate to win the Sixth Man of the Year award, believing in Eason to perform well off the bench.

“I’m going to start a petition for Tari (to win) Sixth Man of the Year…”

Tari Eason averaged 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game off the bench last season.

With more experience and better players to learn under, Eason’s numbers could improve massively next season.

Josh Okogie showing support to Tari.
“Sixth man of the year.” pic.twitter.com/x20JWIqu9Z
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 4, 2025

Ime Udoka confirms four starters next season, still missing a point guard

During the media interaction, a reporter asked head coach Ime Udoka which players he had picked to be starters next season.

Udoka revealed that Jabari Smith Jr. would be the fourth starter confirmed, along with Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun.

I asked Ime who the fourth starter will be and he said Jabari is starting pic.twitter.com/pAnOtVm5TS
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 4, 2025

However, with Fred VanVleet’s injury, there is still a starting spot left for a point guard. Adding another big in the fifth spot would create problems for their spacing.

Perhaps an option, if Udoka doesn’t trust the young point guards on his team to start, would be to start Dorian Finney-Smith, who while being big, can shoot the ball quite well and help space the floor.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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