The Oklahoma City Thunder have excessive hopes for rookie middle Aday Mara, taken with the No. 12 choose in June’s draft. Mara’s NBA Summer season League debut would possibly make the Thunder mood these expectations.
Mara scored two factors in 25 minutes and did not make a shot from the sphere within the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s 96-84 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Friday. He regarded removed from having the ability to contribute to a Thunder group able to compete for an additional title.
Aday Mara did not play like a lottery choose in Summer season League debut
Mara and the Thunder obtained a seemingly favorable first sport in Las Vegas. The 7-foot-3 Mara confronted a Lakers group whose tallest starter was 6-foot-8 and lacked a real middle on the roster. Large males usually wrestle to get probabilities in Summer season League, however the Thunder had No. 16 choose Bennett Stirtz to get Mara the ball.
It did not work out properly for Mara. After his first two photographs obtained blocked, Mara appeared reluctant to shoot in any respect. He did not rating till late within the second quarter, after a non-shooting foul despatched him to the free throw line. He completed with seven rebounds, no made subject targets, two blocks and three turnovers.
At one level, Mara grabbed an offensive rebound and had solely 6-foot-4 guard Chris Manon between him and the basket. As an alternative, Mara threw a behind-the-back cross into the stands.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder aren’t sweating Aday Mara’s improvement
Usually, a horrible debut from a group’s No. 12 choose could be a trigger for panic. Not for the Thunder, who’ve a plethora of draft picks in reserve and a roster so stacked they’ve needed to commerce proficient gamers simply to make room this summer time (and get extra picks). Particularly for the reason that Thunder have already got Chet Holmgren and introduced again Isaiah Hartenstein on a long-term deal.
Meaning Mara can take so long as he must develop with the Thunder’s G League franchise subsequent season. The Thunder ought to have middle Thomas Sorber, drafted at the same draft place as Mara in 2025, again from knee surgical procedures this fall. OKC does not must develop Mara within the NBA and it won’t have the spare taking part in time for him this season anyway.
What OKC actually wants, long-term, is one other large participant to match with Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. It might like to make the most of Mara’s potential as a passer, even when he seems to be gassed after taking part in greater than 4 minutes at a time proper now.
It is just one sport however Mara appears a great distance from being a participant who will help the Thunder subsequent season. Fortunate for him, they have time to attend for Mara and a championship-caliber group to information him alongside.
