First up are Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, both selected in the first round of the recent NBA Draft. Mara, a towering 7-foot-3 center, helped Michigan capture a national title this past season and is widely viewed as a potential anchor for the Thunder’s frontcourt for years to come. Stirtz, a 6-foot-4 guard, came into the league with high expectations after a standout collegiate career and excelling on both the perimeter and in distributing the basketball. Their rookie-scale contracts are in line with typical first-round commitments, with Mara projected to earn approximately $5.79 million in the first year and roughly $27.02 million over a four-year window, while Stirtz is slated for about $4.72 million in his rookie year and as much as $22.82 million over the same four-year span. These figures reflect the league’s standard rookie-scale framework for the 2026 class.
Mara joins a frontcourt that already includes several versatile pieces, creating a stacked and potentially high-upside grouping. In addition to Mara and Stirtz, the Thunder’s established players in the frontcourt include Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, and Thomas Sorber. Holmgren’s length and rim protection, combined with Hartenstein’s inside-out versatility, Williams’ defensive versatility, and Sorber’s development, set the stage for Mara to acclimate gradually while contributing in practice and when called upon in games.
Stirtz’s profile as a shooter and playmaker who excelled for Iowa over the last two seasons gives Oklahoma City a credible two-way guard option who can operate both on and off the ball, help space the floor, and facilitate offense in select lineups. To secure Stirtz, the Thunder traded up from No. 17 to No. 16, surrendering two future second-round picks in the process. The move demonstrates the team’s willingness to leverage its draft capital to ensure they acquire players they believe can contribute at the NBA level, even if it means some short-term cost.
Alongside the two first-round pledges, the Thunder also announced three players signing two-way contracts, expanding the organization’s depth and options for development. Otega Oweh, a guard/wing from Kentucky, joins the Thunder’s two-way ranks after a standout college career that included notable performances in NCAA tournament games. He was selected 41st overall in the recent draft after Oklahoma City maneuvered to acquire him, a choice that underscores the team’s interest in versatile wings who can contribute in multiple roles.
Brooks Barnhizer, a guard-forward who was a 2025 second-round pick, is entering his second season and brings a combination of size, shooting, and floor-spacing potential. In his rookie stint with the Thunder, Barnhizer appeared in 40 games, averaging solid minutes off the bench with 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. He previously received a two-way qualifying offer and is now set to continue his development within Oklahoma City’s system, with the potential to grow into a more consistent rotation piece.
Josh Dix, a guard who played college basketball at Creighton, joined the Thunder after going undrafted and quickly secured a two-way agreement. Dix’s combination of shooting ability and playmaking could offer the team valuable floor-spreading capabilities and secondary playmaking in both guard spots.
These three two-way signings allow Oklahoman management to experiment with lineups and development paths while preserving roster flexibility. Two-way players can be activated for up to 50 regular-season games and do not become playoff-eligible while remaining under two-way contracts. This structure is designed to give young players meaningful NBA experience while allowing the team to manage payroll and rotations effectively during the long season.
At present, the Thunder’s roster sits with 13 players on guaranteed contracts and three on two-way deals. As existing contracts for players like Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams are expected to be finalized once the league moratorium lifts, the organization will have a clearer picture of its roster composition as training camp approaches. The front office may still explore additional moves on the trade market or seek opportunities to add additional depth through non-guaranteed training camp invites, depending on how the team evaluates player development and injury considerations as the season nears.
Overall, the moves signal a deliberate strategy: add high-upside young players through the draft, reinforce the frontcourt with length and shooting potential, and maintain flexible two-way slots to nurture development. The Thunder appear positioned to balance immediate depth with long-term growth, leveraging a mix of veteran frontcourt versatility and fresh talent from this year’s rookie class. As training camp unfolds, fans can anticipate a rotation that blends established talent with the potential for breakout performances from Mara, Stirtz, and the three two-way signees, all aimed at sustaining competitive play while continuing to build toward a sustainable, long-term contender trajectory.
