OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder rookie center Aday Mara is making headway following his first two NBA preseason games. He hasn't missed yet, adding 34 points on 15-for-15 shooting, plus 15 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks for Oklahoma City. When Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault highlighted Mara for his gains between summer league and training camp, no one anticipated Aday to dominate at this level.
Yes, it's only the preseason, sure. But Mara's adapting quickly in Oklahoma City. And on a deep Thunder team, the big men's depth is led by All-Star Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams. However, as the 12th pick in this year's draft continues to grow, could Mara eventually take J-Will's spot in Daigneault's depth chart?
It's possible. Whether that happens during the regular season or in 2027-28 remains to be seen. Perhaps we're all getting ahead of ourselves. Two preseason games are a minuscule sample size. Still, it's worth noting. Mara's immediate fit with the Thunder shows he can produce on both ends of the floor, and that production extends beyond the individual.
Mara helps his teammates perform better, including third-year guard Jared McCain; he's meshing right away.
“It's awesome. It's exactly what we need,” McCain said. “He's such a good dude, getting to know him, and I'm learning some Spanish from him, too. So, it's been pretty cool to get to know him in plays. He's a great player out there.”
Mara's outlet passes kept the Milwaukee Bucks' defense on their heels in the first half; like an established quarterback; Aday found his teammates with vision. He can also finish at the rim in a half-court,, and his footwork, combined with his 7-foot-4 frame, is difficult for opposing defenses to deter, including in transition.
Mara's screens helped Thunder guards, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and McCain, create and get clean looks for open threes on one end of the floor, while protecting the rim on the other.
“It's a really hard thing to do, especially to a team like this,” McCain added. “And to come in confident like that, I really admire that. Any questions I can answer for them? I love to. And we got awesome vets that help them out too.”
The NCAA national champion center adds an intriguing wrinkle to the Thunder's 2026-27 frontcourt. Joining a title-contending team and making an immediate impact, Mara could arrive sooner than the 2025 champion anticipated, which isn't a bad problem to have.
Mark Daigneault on rookie Aday Mara building trust with Thunder
What's impressed head coach Mark Daigneault most throughout the preseason isn't how Aday Mara has adapted to the Thunder, but rather how his new teammates have adapted to the rookie amidst the first two games. For Daigneault, it's the ultimate stamp of approval for an NBA rookie, especially this early, he said, after Mara's 22-point performance in the Thunder's 128-126 loss to the Bucks.
Article Continues Below“It's just interesting to see how the guys have responded to him. They've learned that he outlets the ball deep. So, they're getting up the floor on outlets. They're looking for him on rolls,” Daigneault said. “They understand the gravity of somebody that size that has the hands he does.
“And even when they throw the ball to him in the post, it's just not a lot of rookie things that, without prompting, veteran players are throwing the ball into. That's a sign of trust. None of those things are things we've talked about specific to him, and yet, the guys are recognizing that. It's encouraging.”
Daigneault and the Thunder are taking advantage of a five-day break ahead of their second back-to-back, starting on the road against the Hawks and ending with a home game against the Pacers at the Paycom Center on Tuesday. Daigneault said the Thunder's back-to-backs are by design while putting together the preseason schedule, as the five days in between gives the coach a second training camp amidst competing in realistic back-to-backs of the regular season.
The Thunder head coach also said only the rookies, two-way players, and Exhibit-10 players will travel to Atlanta for Monday's preseason game against the Hawks, which most likely gives Mara a third nod in Daigneault's starting lineup.