Clippers rumors: Aday Mara floated as option, but there’s a trade catch

The Los Angeles Clippers are currently preparing for the upcoming NBA Draft, which is set to get underway on June 23. The Clippers have the number five pick in the draft this year thanks to last season’s trade with the Indiana Pacers, sending out big man Ivica Zubac in return.

Recently, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic speculated on a name the Clippers might pursue in the draft: big man Aday Mara out of Michigan, who just won a national championship with the Wolverines.

Vecenie reported that he’s “…heard Aday Mara’s name associated with the Clippers, although it’s difficult to tell if that would be at No. 5 or in a potential trade down.”

Mara impressed scouts at the recent NBA combine with his versatility, although his outside shooting touch left quite a bit to be desired. The big man would likely be the Clippers’ opening day starter if they did draft him, sliding in to replace Zubac in the middle and giving the team a player who is expected to immediately become one of the league’s best shot blockers.

However, Vecenie also reported that combo guard Keaton Wagler out of Illinois would be the best fit for the Clippers in his eyes, as he “…can play both on and off ball and has enough positional size to play next to Darius Garland.”

Garland had an up and down tenure with the Clippers last year after being sent there from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for James Harden. Wagler, meanwhile, skyrocketed up draft boards this past season due to his playmaking and silky smooth outside shooting touch, as well as his positional size.

In any case, the Clippers have just over two weeks to figure out what they want to do.

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