The Oklahoma City Thunder just added another giant to their frontcourt. And this one comes with a national championship ring and a clear job description: make life harder for Victor Wembanyama.
It’s not complicated. After the San Antonio Spurs knocked the Thunder out of the Western Conference Finals in seven games, OKC used the 12th pick in the NBA draft on Aday Mara. He’s 7-foot-3, 240 pounds, and fresh off a season where he was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year while helping Michigan win the NCAA title. Scouts called him the best rim protector in the draft. The Thunder called him up to the stage.
When a reporter asked Mara about the challenge of facing Wembanyama — the guy who just led the Spurs past them — the rookie didn’t flinch.
“It’s not a bad thing to hear. I think it’s gonna take time and adjustments, but I’m excited to play against him,” Mara said. “Obviously, to play in the NBA. But I feel like I’m going to play against him a lot if it’s in the NBA or for the national team.”
A Frontcourt Built on Height and Wrecking Shots
The Thunder already had Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Both are 7-footers. Both are above-average defenders. But adding Mara gives coach Mark Daigneault a third big body to throw at Wembanyama over a 48-minute game. It’s not about stopping him entirely. That’s not realistic. It’s about making every shot harder, every drive more crowded.
Mara sees the fit with Holmgren, specifically.
“Being able to play with Chet, I think we can play together. I think that could be great for the team. Talking about rim protection, but, obviously, defense, in my game, I feel is going to be super important,” Mara said.
Last season with the Wolverines, Mara averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 blocks in just over 23 minutes per game. That block rate translates. At his size, he doesn’t need to jump to alter shots. He just needs to be in the right spot.
The Rivalry That’s Already Here
Spurs-Thunder might end up being the defining matchup of the next half-decade. Both teams are young. Both have MVP-level talent in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama. Both just met in the conference finals. The Spurs won this time. The Thunder just drafted a guy whose entire game is built around making sure that doesn’t happen again.
Mara isn’t walking in thinking he’ll lock down Wembanyama right away. He knows the NBA is a different speed. But the Thunder didn’t draft him to develop slowly in the G League. They drafted him to be a problem. And he seems fine with that job description.
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