The Oklahoma City Thunder have excessive hopes for rookie heart Aday Mara, taken with the No. 12 decide in June’s draft. Mara’s NBA Summer time League debut may 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 seemed removed from with the ability to contribute to a Thunder staff able to compete for one more title.
Aday Mara did not play like a lottery decide in Summer time League debut
Mara and the Thunder acquired a seemingly favorable first sport in Las Vegas. The 7-foot-3 Mara confronted a Lakers staff whose tallest starter was 6-foot-8 and lacked a real heart on the roster. Huge males typically battle to get probabilities in Summer time 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 photographs acquired 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 discipline 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 move into the stands.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder aren’t sweating Aday Mara’s improvement
Usually, a horrible debut from a staff’s No. 12 decide 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.
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 heart Thomas Sorber, drafted at an analogous 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 enjoying time for him this season anyway.
What OKC actually wants, long-term, is one other huge 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 appears gassed after enjoying greater than 4 minutes at a time proper now.
It is just one sport 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 staff to information him alongside.
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