The Oklahoma City Thunder are poised to add another name to their growing list of award contenders for the 2027 season. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to fight for a third straight MVP, forward-center Jaylin Williams has quietly emerged as a plausible Sixth Man of the Year hopeful. The Thunder’s recent trophy haul , an MVP for Gilgeous-Alexander, Coach of the Year for Mark Daigneault, and a 2025 championship , has created a culture where bench contributors can earn serious recognition.
Williams posted 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 65 games last season, starting 11 times and averaging just under 20 minutes per contest. Those numbers are modest, but two late-season outbursts , a 30-point performance in Detroit and a 29-point night against the Denver Nuggets , demonstrate his ability to produce at a level that can spark league-wide conversation. In a league that increasingly values big men who can stretch the floor, his scoring bursts from the perimeter stand out, especially given his role as the most reliable shooter among the Thunder’s interior players.
The upcoming roster additions of free-agent bigs Aday Mara and Thomas Sorber cement Oklahoma City’s commitment to double-big lineups. That scheme could translate into more minutes for Williams, who can operate as a stretch-four when the team rotates its frontcourt. With Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein missing significant time over the past two seasons, the Thunder will likely lean on Williams to fill big-minute gaps while preserving spacing. His ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc provides a valuable alternative to traditional bench scorers, aligning with the league’s appetite for versatile bigs.
The departure of wing players Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins opens additional perimeter opportunities, further amplifying Williams’s role as a shooter. Competition for the sixth-man slot remains fierce, with teammates Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain also in the mix. However, Williams’s size and proven shooting range give him a distinct profile compared with typical bench scorers, positioning him as a unique candidate in a category often dominated by perimeter players.
As the offseason progresses, the Thunder’s bench hierarchy will take shape. If Williams can translate his late-season scoring bursts into consistent production, his name should appear on early award watchlists. A strong start could force the league to reconsider the traditional profile of a Sixth Man of the Year, making a big man a legitimate contender for the 2027 honor.
