Bennett Stirtz expected to contribute to OKC Thunder lineup

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Bennett Stirtz is anticipated to make an immediate impact in the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season. Selected as the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Stirtz is expected to complement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by providing outside shooting capabilities. With the team having moved on from key role players Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, Stirtz's skills as a ball-handler and scorer are seen as vital for the Thunder's second unit. His readiness to contribute right away positions him as a promising addition to the Thunder's roster, which had a 64-18 regular-season record last season but fell short in the Western Conference Finals.

• 5:01 PMYahoo Sports — OKC Thunder 3 goals: Bennett Stirtz should help from the jump