Overview
- Reporting on Tuesday shows the Thunder have been actively exploring packages to move into the top 10 of the June 23–24 NBA draft to pursue Aday Mara.
- Oklahoma City enters the draft with tradable capital including the No. 12 pick, the No. 17 pick, the No. 37 pick and multiple future first-round assets that could be bundled to move up.
- Scouts and mock drafts project Mara as the likely first center off the board in the 8–12 range after a season of roughly 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks and his rare 7-foot frame.
- Acquiring a center of Mara's profile would directly affect roster construction because the club would have to weigh declining or trading Isaiah Hartenstein's $28.5 million option.
- Analysts expect any decisive move to happen on draft night and list potential partners that could facilitate a jump into the top 10, including Atlanta, Dallas, Golden State and Sacramento.