The path wasn't always easy for Bennett Stirtz to get to the NBA, but OKC is ensuring he has an easier path to playing time.
OKC traded for the former star on draft night, and even though Memphis selected him No. 16 overall, they were picking for the Thunder. The draft night trade sent Stirtz to a stellar organization that is only two seasons removed from winning an NBA title. Now the organization is seemingly doing everything it can to give Stirtz a chance at more playing time early on.
OKC is shipping Isaiah Joe to Detroit for two second-round picks
After being upset by the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Playoffs, Sam Presti and the Thunder had another brilliant draft, including drafting Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz in the first round. The Thunder continue to draft well, which will come in handy when they have to make some tough roster decisions
After signing center Isaiah Hartenstein to a new three-year, $75 million contract, the Thunder are an NBA-high $28.6 million into the second apron of the NBA salary cap. With a lot of money tied up, the organization is moving sharpshooting guard Isaiah Joe to Detroit.
Just in: The Oklahoma City Thunder are trading sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/rHf0VHp7k0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2026
On paper, trading Joe to the Pistons for two future second-round picks isn't incredibly sexy and seems like just another example of the Thunder organization stockpiling draft picks. However, moving a player like Joe not only frees up $11.3 million next season but also paves the way for more playing time for Bennett Stirtz.
The Thunder organization will obviously never say they intentionally traded Joe to give Stirtz more playing time, but the move does just that. Joe set career highs in points (11.3) and three-point field goal percentage last season (42.3) as a key reserve, but he fell out of the rotation in the playoffs when Jared McCain took his minutes. Joe became expendable, and despite his shooting prowess, the Thunder were willing to move him.
There are no guarantees, especially with a loaded backcourt that includes MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jared McCain, and Jaylin Williams, but the move is exactly what Stirtz needs to take advantage. The Thunder organization doesn't waste draft picks, especially in the first round, and trading up for Stirtz proves they want him to be there. You wouldn't normally draft a player that high to not play him, and with Joe being moved to Detroit, the path to playing time for Stirtz just got a whole lot clearer.
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