The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz through a draft-night trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, who selected him 16th overall in the first round of the NBA draft on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
According to reports, Memphis immediately traded the newly acquired 17th overall pick to the Detroit Pistons to slide down to No. 21, securing five future second-round draft picks across both draft-night deals.
>>> NHL Trade Rumors Swirl Around Larkin, Tuch, and Hellebuyck
The Thunder addition comes shortly after the franchise traded Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for future second-round selections in 2030 and 2032, a transaction projected to save Oklahoma City over $60 million.
Stirtz compiled 19.8 points and 4.4 assists per game last season for the Hawkeyes after transferring from Drake alongside head coach Ben McCollum, capping a collegiate career that began at Division II Northwest Missouri State.
>>> Charlotte Hornets Select Christian Anderson with 18th NBA Draft Pick
The Detroit Pistons used the 17th pick to select Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie, who recorded an ACC-leading 23.2 points per game for a Detroit franchise that finished 60-22 last season before exiting in the postseason second round.
Memphis later utilized the 21st pick on forward Karim López from the New Zealand Breakers, making him the first Mexican-born player drafted in the opening round, following a 25-57 season under head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
>>> Luis Suarez Critiques Marcelo Bielsa After Uruguay's World Cup Draw
Other local prospects like Iowa State consensus All-American forward Joshua Jefferson and guard Tamin Lipsey were also positioned entering the draft cycle after guiding the Cyclones deep into the collegiate postseason.
