The Oklahoma City Thunder have excessive hopes for rookie middle Aday Mara, taken with the No. 12 decide 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 sector within the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s 96-84 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Friday. He seemed removed from with the ability to contribute to a Thunder group able to compete for an additional title.
Aday Mara did not play like a lottery decide in Summer season League debut
Mara and the Thunder bought a seemingly favorable first recreation 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. Huge males usually battle to get possibilities in Summer season League, however the Thunder had No. 16 decide Bennett Stirtz to get Mara the ball.
It did not work out effectively for Mara. After his first two pictures bought 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 area objectives, 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 a substitute, Mara threw a behind-the-back go into the stands.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder aren’t sweating Aday Mara’s growth
Usually, a horrible debut from a group’s No. 12 decide can 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 because the Thunder have already got Chet Holmgren and introduced again Isaiah Hartenstein on a long-term deal.
Which means 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 have to 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 massive participant to match with Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. It could like to make the most of Mara’s potential as a passer, even when he appears to be like gassed after taking part in greater than 4 minutes at a time proper now.
It is just one recreation however Mara appears a good 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.
