They need multiple bigs with vuc gone and pat williams trade bait.
Wish they could get Mara at 15 but he'll be gone.
Collins is fragile
Need a real center but nobody great at 15.
Wilson and Johnson add athletic length.
Bennett Stirtz a projected Lottery Pick at #10
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Wish they could get Mara at 15 but he'll be gone.
Collins is fragile
Need a real center but nobody great at 15.
Wilson and Johnson add athletic length.
Reading through ESPN, they projected him to go to the Raptors at 19. I doubt it'll happen, but I'd love to see him be a Laker.
19. Toronto Raptors
Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa Senior
Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-2½ | Weight: 186 | Standing reach: 8-2½ | Wingspan: 6-6
Stirtz shot the ball extremely well in drills at the combine, plus measured and tested fairly well, helping himself overall. He has drawn interest inside the top 20, with teams hoping that his high-level shooting might give him the versatility to play off the ball. Though his shooting was streakier than anticipated at Iowa (35.8% from 3), he carried a heavy workload and was asked to create for himself far more than he'll need to in the pros. His ability to navigate ball screens, limit mistakes and knock down open shots gives him a path to a useful bench role in the right situation, despite turning 23 in the fall.
Toronto can go a couple of different directions at this slot, with a need for a creative guard as well as a long-term center. Stirtz would be an immediate boost to their backcourt as a plug-and-play option, helping improve spacing and giving them another half-court playmaker. - Jeremy Woo, ESPN
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for Monday, June 23, and will be airing on ESPN and ABC at 7 p.m. CT.
ESPN NBA mock draft solidifies Bennett Stirtz as a first-round talent
Bennett Stirtz proved he can play with the best of the best this year at Iowa, and it has him trending towards being a first-round pick.
hawkeyeswire.usatoday.com
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First of all, why are you up so early, rascal?19. Toronto Raptors
Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa Senior
Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-2½ | Weight: 186 | Standing reach: 8-2½ | Wingspan: 6-6
Stirtz shot the ball extremely well in drills at the combine, plus measured and tested fairly well, helping himself overall. He has drawn interest inside the top 20, with teams hoping that his high-level shooting might give him the versatility to play off the ball. Though his shooting was streakier than anticipated at Iowa (35.8% from 3), he carried a heavy workload and was asked to create for himself far more than he'll need to in the pros. His ability to navigate ball screens, limit mistakes and knock down open shots gives him a path to a useful bench role in the right situation, despite turning 23 in the fall.
Toronto can go a couple of different directions at this slot, with a need for a creative guard as well as a long-term center. Stirtz would be an immediate boost to their backcourt as a plug-and-play option, helping improve spacing and giving them another half-court playmaker. - Jeremy Woo, ESPN
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for Monday, June 23, and will be airing on ESPN and ABC at 7 p.m. CT.
ESPN NBA mock draft solidifies Bennett Stirtz as a first-round talent
Bennett Stirtz proved he can play with the best of the best this year at Iowa, and it has him trending towards being a first-round pick.hawkeyeswire.usatoday.com
Secondly, I don't necessarily agree with their notion of letting him be a plug and play role player just yet:" His ability to navigate ball screens, limit mistakes and knock down open shots gives him a path to a useful bench role in the right situation, despite turning 23 in the fall."
He'll get ample opportunities to compete for a starting role with the right team. Keegan was in the same category. An older rookie who filled the immediate need of a struggling franchise as a shooter. He was of course drafted higher, but filled that role nicely that year. Could Bennett step into a starting role somewhere? It's going to be very difficult but not impossible, especially if he has an impressive training camp performance.
Maybe I'm too optimistic?
First of all, why are you up so early, rascal?
" His ability to navigate ball screens, limit mistakes and knock down open shots gives him a path to a useful bench role in the right situation, despite turning 23 in the fall."
He'll get ample opportunities to compete for a starting role with the right team. Keegan was in the same category. An older rookie who filled the immediate need of a struggling franchise as a shooter. He was of course drafted higher, but filled that role nicely that year. Could Bennett step into a starting role somewhere? It's going to be very difficult but not impossible, especially if he has an impressive training camp performance.
Maybe I'm too optimistic?
I know first round guys often go sooner, but I'm not sure Keegan was "an older rookie", (he only played two years in college), certainly not compared to a grey beard like Stirtz, who was a four year player....First of all, why are you up so early, rascal?
" His ability to navigate ball screens, limit mistakes and knock down open shots gives him a path to a useful bench role in the right situation, despite turning 23 in the fall."
He'll get ample opportunities to compete for a starting role with the right team. Keegan was in the same category. An older rookie who filled the immediate need of a struggling franchise as a shooter. He was of course drafted higher, but filled that role nicely that year. Could Bennett step into a starting role somewhere? It's going to be very difficult but not impossible, especially if he has an impressive training camp performance.
Maybe I'm too optimistic?
It's the age factor. The age going into the draft. Those players are more mature in their persona and in their game, and generally more NBA-ready, but their ceiling is considered lower than the younger players.
Keegan also had a year of post-prep at DME Academy and was considered an "old" freshman being he turned 20 as he started college.
Brendan Hausen has worked out with the Memphis Grizzlies. Bennett's scheduled workouts with the Hornets, Bulls, and Raptors are in here. Nothing on Banks, but that doesn't mean that he won't get a workout somewhere. Source: Updated today 5/23/26.
And James Ham, an insider for Sac with lots of useful info on workouts, prospects, and more:
NBA draft workout tracker: Where prospects have visited in 2026
Rookie Wire examined every team in a comprehensive list and the prospects they’ve brought in for workouts before the NBA draft on June 23-24.
therookiewire.usatoday.com
And James Ham, an insider for Sac with lots of useful info on workouts, prospects, and more:
Brendan Hausen has worked out with the Memphis Grizzlies. Bennett's scheduled workouts with the Hornets, Bulls, and Raptors are in here. Nothing on Banks, but that doesn't mean that he won't get a workout somewhere. Source: Updated today 5/23/26.
NBA draft workout tracker: Where prospects have visited in 2026
Rookie Wire examined every team in a comprehensive list and the prospects they’ve brought in for workouts before the NBA draft on June 23-24.therookiewire.usatoday.com
And James Ham, an insider for Sac with lots of useful info on workouts, prospects, and more:
It will be interesting to see where Hausen ends up....
Overseas, right?
Where you been?It will be interesting to see where Hausen ends up....
Overseas, right?
I bet he’s been bustin’ Marge’s balls
Brendan Hausen has worked out with the Memphis Grizzlies. Bennett's scheduled workouts with the Hornets, Bulls, and Raptors are in here. Nothing on Banks, but that doesn't mean that he won't get a workout somewhere. Source: Updated today 5/23/26.
NBA draft workout tracker: Where prospects have visited in 2026
Rookie Wire examined every team in a comprehensive list and the prospects they’ve brought in for workouts before the NBA draft on June 23-24.therookiewire.usatoday.com
And James Ham, an insider for Sac with lots of useful info on workouts, prospects, and more:
Update: 6/2. Bennett has worked out for the Memphis Grizzlies. That makes four workouts for him: Chicago, Charlotte, and Memphis all completed. Toronto is still scheduled.
Here's an article I found with recent info on the latest Bennett Stirtz projections. The NBA Draft begins on June 23 and concludes on June 24.
With the Draft coming up in just over two weeks, I'm getting stoked.
The latest (June 15) ESPN mock draft:
Senior
Stirtz has a number of top-20 teams interested in him, but it's unclear in which order this second wave of point guards will go and where it will start, creating scenarios in which one or two of them slip. His ability to organize in the half court and keep defenses honest with his shot helps his case to play immediately, but his age (22) and average athletic ability will make him a more specific fit for teams.
Rival teams expect the Pistons to target an offense-minded player here, with Detroit's glaring need for shooting coming to bear in the postseason. Adding a ball handler who can take pressure off of Cade Cunningham might also be prudent.
www.espn.com
21. Detroit Pistons (via Minnesota)
Bennett Stirtz, PG, IowaSenior
Stirtz has a number of top-20 teams interested in him, but it's unclear in which order this second wave of point guards will go and where it will start, creating scenarios in which one or two of them slip. His ability to organize in the half court and keep defenses honest with his shot helps his case to play immediately, but his age (22) and average athletic ability will make him a more specific fit for teams.
Rival teams expect the Pistons to target an offense-minded player here, with Detroit's glaring need for shooting coming to bear in the postseason. Adding a ball handler who can take pressure off of Cade Cunningham might also be prudent.
2026 NBA mock draft: Projecting all 60 picks in Rounds 1 and 2
We have an updated 60-pick mock draft with new intel ahead of Round 1 of the 2026 NBA draft (Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC).
www.espn.com
Wow. The Draft is only a week away!
Stirtz will be attending the NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY next Tuesday. Ben McCollum will join Stirtz and his family in the green room.
So far, Stirtz has worked out with the following teams:
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Dallas Mavericks
Memphis Grizzlies
Oklahoma City Thunder
Toronto Raptors
He'll also workout for the Golden State Warriors prior to the draft.
So far, Stirtz has worked out with the following teams:
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Dallas Mavericks
Memphis Grizzlies
Oklahoma City Thunder
Toronto Raptors
He'll also workout for the Golden State Warriors prior to the draft.
His workouts have increased quite a bit. Does that indicate that more teams have an interest, or are teams maneuvering to trade up or down? Exciting. Can't wait.
I do think pistons would be a great spot for Bennett.They need shooting and guard depth.
They had best record in East this year so he might get deep into playoffs right away.
Hope it works out.
They had best record in East this year so he might get deep into playoffs right away.
Hope it works out.
The writer said that there's little chance Bennett will fall all the way down to 17. Thunder could take him at 12. Sam Presti is a really good GM. Well respected around the league for getting talent.
This is maybe the only mock I've seen with peterson not going to jazz.
It also has the 5-9 picks jumbled.
And has Bennett going 16 ,higher than any mock I've seen.
The drama starts with #5.
Wagler is the concensus but who knows?
Living not far from Memphis, I’d love to see Stirtz playing for the Grizzlies. I might go to a few more games.
Bennett might be a reach at 16, but the Grizzlies haven’t been afraid to draft the guys they want at higher spots than where a lot of pundits have them ranked.
Nice article about Bennett and family.
If Memphis is serious about changing their lockerrom environment, Boozer and Stirtz would be excellent choices
I see Jay bilas has labeled Bennett as his
" Sleeper of the draft".
Calls him the 2nd best shooter....after Peterson.
" Sleeper of the draft".
Calls him the 2nd best shooter....after Peterson.
Well considering Ja will probably be on another team pretty soon, I'm not sure what your point isYeah, I was thinking Ja and Bennett were probably made for each other
Then I guess I'm not sure your's either.
Wouldn't Ja being gone take care of the locker room issues?
