The Oklahoma City Thunder just drafted Michigan center Aday Mara to be the answer to a problem that the entire NBA is trying to solve.
Mara couldn't have landed in a more perfect situation Tuesday night, when the Thunder selected him with the 12th overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft. He joins a serious title contender for years to come and possibly the deepest roster in the league that features reigning two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at point guard.
The Thunder were also targeting fellow Wolverines Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendenborg, but once they were both off the board, Mara seemed like the obvious pick for OKC after he showed in just one season at Michigan that he had everything they could want as the Thunder desperately needed to find a Wemby-stopper.
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Aday Mara could be what OKC needs to end Victor Wembanyama worries
OKC had the best record in the NBA again all season and was headed toward back-to-back titles before 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs ended those plans in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. It's a heavy load to put on a player who suddenly just emerged as a lottery pick this past season, but Mara could have been a difference maker in that letdown, just like he was for the Wolverines during their NCAA Tournament run to a national title this year.
All-Star Chet Holmgren would be the expected rival to Wemby, but has vanished every time the two have shared a court. Mara, though, could be everything the Thunder have been missing in Holmgren. He's not only three inches taller but, what Thunder fans will love to hear most, he's also a whopping 52 pounds heavier than Holmgren and 24 pounds bigger than Wemby. That's a lot harder to bully around down low, plus his excellent footwork also makes him quick enough to keep up with Wemby.
Mara is also an exceptional rim protector as the 2025-26 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. And although he usually doesn't shine as bright on the offensive side averaging 12.1 points a game this past season, he still has a proven nice touch to score on other stout defenders when needed.
There's also the added bonus of his elite talent as a passer to open up the floor more for SGA like he did for Elliot Cadeau, which also could have helped flip the outcome from that haunting Game 7 loss that likely led Mara to OKC from Ann Arbor.
Last offseason, the Wolverines added Mara from UCLA through the transfer portal, and he proved to be what they needed to win it all. Now, the Thunder also hope adding Mara will get them back on top immediately.
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