{"id":204259,"date":"2026-07-08T10:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=204259"},"modified":"2026-07-08T04:58:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T08:58:29","slug":"aday-mara-bench-okc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/07\/08\/aday-mara-bench-okc\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Aday Mara Is Better Off The Bench For The Thunder"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fresh off his recent games in the NBA Summer League, it’s no secret that the latest Oklahoma City acquisition\u00a0is expected to be an impactful player in his games for OKC in the coming season. However, Aday Mara<\/a> seems to be a better player if he comes off the bench for the Thunder rather than starting right away, so he can complement their size problems.<\/p>\n

Selected with the 12th overall pick in the NBA Draft — where the OKC roster has been replenished with elite talents over the years — Mara comes in as a crucial piece for the 2025 champions as they hope to stay on the competitive side in the years to come.<\/p>\n

Why Aday Mara Is Better Off The Bench For The Thunder<\/span><\/h2>\n

However, rather than pushing him into the starting lineup, the Michigan product would actually benefit if he instead played as a reserve for OKC. After all, it’s rare for a rookie to get the starting role, especially if the Thunder already has two key centers in Chet Holmgren<\/a> and Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The OKC Roster Is Already Loaded With Talent<\/h3>\n

As one of the most talented squads in the league, it’s a given fact that the Thunder has some rotation issues over the postseason, even opting to use newer guys like Jared McCain<\/a> rather than mainstay guys like Isaiah Joe<\/a>, who then got traded earlier this offseason. So what does that mean for Mara?<\/p>\n

Look, before Branden Carlson<\/a> signed with Portland, he was also quite an impressive talent as well. He’s easily a great big man that Oklahoma City missed out on. Mara could easily be just another version of him, except that he offers a much bigger size than the latter, and his playmaking and shooting could definitely improve more than what Carlson has ever seen with the team.<\/p>\n

\n

Aday Mara tonight<\/p>\n

10 PTS
9 REB
4 BLK
+4
23 MIN<\/p>\n

Mara\u2019s rim protection stood out. Deterred a lot of shots in the paint.<\/p>\n

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n