The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired guard Bennett Stirtz in a draft night trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on June 23, 2026.
Memphis selected Stirtz with the 16th overall pick before dealing him to Oklahoma City.
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According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Thunder sent the 17th overall pick and two future second-round selections to Memphis in exchange for Stirtz.
Stirtz's Impact and Background
Stirtz is the first player traded on draft night, joining a Thunder roster that also selected big man Aday Mara with the 12th pick.
During his lone season at Iowa under coach Ben McCollum, Stirtz averaged 19.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
He led the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987.
The 22-year-old guard shot 47.7 percent from the field and 84.8 percent from the free-throw line.
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At the NBA combine, he made 20 of 25 spot-up jumpers, solidifying his draft stock.
Stirtz becomes the third Iowa player selected in the first round since 2022.
Devyn Marble, former Iowa forward, commented on the legacy of his late father, Roy Marble, who was drafted 23rd overall in 1989.
"This is what he would have wanted," said Devyn Marble. "I feel like I'm completing the last chapter of what I'm supposed to do for him."
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With Stirtz joining the roster, the Thunder must manage a rotation that includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander alongside recent first-round picks Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber, who are both recovering from health issues.
