Thunder’s Bold Move for Stirtz

The 2026 NBA Draft delivered surprises and strategic moves, starting with the Mavericks’ unexpected pick of Morez Johnson Jr. The Thunder followed with a bold trade to leapfrog to 16 for Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz — a dynamic scorer who led the nation in college minutes and offers elite offensive versatility. With all three Michigan bigs drafted in the top 12, the Thunder’s move to land Stirtz makes perfect sense: he’s the perfect fit to boost their offense and depth, even if his defense needs work — something their coaching staff and roster can help him fix. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/66f7f4ab0529f879