OKC Thunder’s Bennett Stirtz Has Job Bigger Than Scoring

The Oklahoma City Thunder do not need Bennett Stirtz to become their next high-volume scorer. They need the rookie to accomplish something less glamorous and potentially more important: make Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s life easier.

Gilgeous-Alexander attempted 35 shots and scored 43 points during Monday’s 117-112 victory over Cleveland. His performance was necessary and remarkable, but that workload cannot become Oklahoma City’s permanent offensive formula while Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace recover. The Thunder must find another player capable of organizing possessions without immediately returning the ball to their superstar.

Stirtz may become that player. The rookie guard spent most of his college career as a primary ball handler, and Mark Daigneault has already acknowledged that Oklahoma City will return him to that role more frequently because of its injuries. Stirtz also explained that his responsibility is to relieve pressure and simplify the game for Gilgeous-Alexander.

That does not require averaging 20 points or attempting difficult late-clock shots. Stirtz must bring the ball across half court, initiate sets, recognize mismatches and keep the offense organized long enough for Gilgeous-Alexander to occasionally operate away from the ball. Even creating several possessions of genuine rest could matter over an 82-game season. That preserves energy for closing moments, when Oklahoma City needs its star at his sharpest.

The early evidence is encouraging. Daigneault also credited him with making an important late shot during Monday’s win in Cleveland. Those moments matter because opponents will eventually test whether the rookie can remain useful when the ball leaves his hands. If Stirtz becomes a respected catch-and-shoot threat, defenders cannot completely abandon him to crowd Gilgeous-Alexander. He simply needs to prevent every possession from becoming exhausting.

Oklahoma City’s injuries have created obvious needs for scoring, defense and size. The quieter problem is the mental and physical burden placed on Gilgeous-Alexander whenever he must create everything. Mitchell and Jared McCain can absorb shots, but Stirtz may offer a different solution by absorbing organizational responsibility.

That role will not produce the loudest highlights or strongest box scores. It could still become one of the most valuable jobs on the roster. The Thunder already know Gilgeous-Alexander can carry them. Stirtz must help ensure he does not have to carry every possession alone.

Stirtz has quickly improved early in the season, but there’s still so much more upside for the rookie guard as he’s leaned on more heavily. Oklahoma City needs his contributions.