The Atlanta Hawks own the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft next month. This range is filled with excellent guard prospects that can add much-needed ball handling and playmaking capabilities to Atlanta’s halfcourt offense. However, the Hawks do not have to lock themselves into a perimeter player with their lottery pick. They can secure the center rotation for the next season as well.
University of Michigan Center Aday Mara has been climbing up mock drafts after an impressive combine. He possesses a great blend of height, size, and skill that Atlanta could utilize right away.
Atlanta Hawks Could Upgrade Center Rotation Through 2026 NBA Draft
Aday Mara Adds Size, Post Scoring, and Playmaking
Mara measured 7 feet, 3 inches without shoes and weighed 259 pounds. His 9-foot-9 standing reach is tied with Mark Williams for the second-tallest number of all time behind Tacko Fall. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and a whopping 2.6 blocks this season. Mara is certainly no stranger to performing under pressure, as he played a pivotal role in Michigan winning the 2026 national championship. He played two seasons at UCLA before boosting his stock in his junior year at Michigan.
Michigan's Aday Mara measured 7'3 barefoot and 260 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine, with a 7'6 wingspan and 9'9 standing reach.
Absolutely absurd measurements. Tied with Mark Williams for the second-longest standing reach in Combine history, behind only Tacko Fall. pic.twitter.com/FvZ41Kv1jo
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2026
Mara would bring much-needed size and rim protection to the Hawks. The New York Knicks exposed Atlanta’s lack of size in the playoffs by bullying their way to the rim. If the Hawks stay with a smaller starting lineup next season, Mara adds elite rim protection right away. Some 7-footers only post big block numbers in college due to their size, but he has great timing and positioning to deter opponents inside. Last summer, Atlanta traded for the 7’2″ Kristaps Porziņģis for his rim deterrence. However, the move did not work out, as the star center battled illness and injury, playing just 17 games in a Hawks uniform.
Mara possesses great footwork and touch around the rim to score in the low post. Atlanta does not have a low-post threat on the roster, limiting its offensive ability in the half court. This problem showed up in a major way against the Knicks, as the Hawks only averaged 100.3 points per game in the series. Mara can help Atlanta take advantage of mismatches and add another level of playmaking to its offense, predicated on ball movement. The Hawks led the league at 30.1 assists per contest in the regular season, and the rookie would fit right in with his unique ability to see the floor like a guard at his size. Michigan frequently used Mara as a hub offensively, and he displayed high-level facilitating out of the post and short roll throughout the campaign.
Michigan Aday Mara pic.twitter.com/MuwtFTDGNa
— Pitless (@pitlessball) May 12, 2026
Spacing, Defensive Versatility and Conditioning Questions Arise
Atlanta relied on its high-powered fastbreak offense throughout the 2025-26 campaign. It finished fifth in pace (102.50) and third in fastbreak points per game (18.1). At 7’3″ and 259 pounds, there are questions of whether Mara can handle the fast pace and physical demands at the NBA level. In the playoffs, similar concerns showed up with Donovan Clingan, as the Portland Trail Blazers only played him 21.4 minutes per game after a strong sophomore campaign.
Last season, head coach Quin Snyder wanted his centers to play at the level of the screen and avoid strict drop coverage. Onyeka Okongwu fits this defensive scheme perfectly, as his lateral quickness and comfort level on the perimeter allow him to switch or hedge and recover on ball screens. While Mara moves fairly well for his size, he excels in drop defense, where he can be closer to the rim to avoid switching onto guards. Many teams are moving away from this scheme, as it gives so many star guards a lot of space to operate. If the Hawks draft Mara as their center of the future, they may be locked into drop coverage with his lack of lateral quickness.
Mara’s lack of 3-point shooting poses spacing problems for Atlanta, especially if he shares the floor with Dyson Daniels. The center shot 3-of-10 from beyond the arc this season, and even though he has great touch, he made only 56.4% of his free throws. The combination of Mara and Daniels would shrink the floor for slahers like Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, making it harder to get to the rim. If Atlanta wants to add Mara to its core and have sufficient half-court spacing, he and Daniels would need to become better outside shooters.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
