Three Potential Thunder 6MOTY Candidates to Watch

Joe averaged 5.1 points and 1.1 threes made in 21 games of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. That’s a huge dip considering that his points average got cut in half, and so did his minutes, which went from 21.7 to 10 per game. Sure, this is a direct effect of the playoff crunch, but Joe was struggling to find his footing for most of the postseason.

Still, that doesn’t mean he can’t step up in the coming season. OKC is leaning toward making developments in their shooting, especially from three. It has been both a sword against their foes and a dagger on their backs sometimes. But with Joe shooting better and making efficient shots, there’s no denying that he could be an X-factor off the bench. That would open up his case for the Sixth Man of the Year Award — and probably the Three-Point Shootout as well.

Will Cason Wallace Elevate His Game?

We previously talked about how Cason Wallace is long due for a breakout season this year. After all, he’s been a superb player for the Thunder off the bench, and has been a mainstay for most of head coach Mark Daigneault‘s rotation. Believe it or not, Wallace being a two-way player with rising production has him on an elevated role with OKC.

Averaging 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 2024-25 is not bad for an incoming third-year player. Wallace is still due to learn more and develop his overall game with Oklahoma City. If that includes a lot of steals and subsequent poster dunks, it’s a strong case for the guard. Count me in on the Wallace bandwagon for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.

The mere fact that Wallace boasts the best NBA career winning percentage for players with at least 100 players under their belt is an understatement to his value. The OKC guard has won 74.7% of his games played. That’s a better number than anyone. Should Wallace conjure a breakout season, he’s one of the legit Thunder 6MOTY candidates to watch.

Can Alex Caruso Stay as the Same Hustle Player?

No one can ever talk about the Thunder’s first championship in a long time without mentioning Alex Caruso. Let’s be honest, Oklahoma City would be nowhere near a title without him on the roster. From his hustle plays, energetic defense, and massive steals – he’s a master of doing the dirty work. Not every sixth man knows the value of that, and yet Caruso is showing his experience in winning, and it has paid off so far.

He was injured during part of the 2024-25 regular season, but was a masterful force in the playoffs. His stats may never tell you everything, but he’s had the fifth-highest +/- by a Thunder player in the 2025 playoffs. On top of that, he had the most steals by in the team’s postseason run at 45 total. Defense is his main asset, as seen with his pairing with Wallace.

At the age of 31, Caruso’s willingness to sacrifice his body and dive for loose balls is proof of his dedication. That kind of mindset is a crucial talking point for the 6MOTY. Caruso being able to step up when stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren don’t play well is a boost to his case. If anything, Caruso may be the best OKC’s got to win Sixth Man of the Year.

Can Thunder 6MOTY Candidates Make a Splash?

Well, OKC has broken off the stigma of having a consistent sixth man. The role has shifted among multiple players in the roster over the previous season, and it’s likely to continue. Still, that doesn’t mean that it can’t change or Thunder players will still shine despite that fact. Caruso, Wallace, and Joe all have the makings of a 6MOTY candidate for this coming season, but it will depend on how they will thrive in the campaign as well.

Whichever Thunder 6MOTY candidate will have the last word for this award is writing history once more. After all, the last time an OKC player won the Sixth Man of the Year, they reached the NBA Finals. Let’s not just go on the fact that they eventually lost that one time, because they now have championship experience.