Oklahoma City Thunder spent years carefully putting together a title-contending squad. Now, with Victor Wembanyama right in their way, it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere soon.
According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, league sources believe the Thunder are considering a move up in the 2026 NBA Draft, with Michigan centre Aday Mara frequently mentioned as their target.
After falling to San Antonio in the playoffs, it’s clear why this rumour is gaining traction – and what the Thunder took from their Western Conference Finals experience.
During that series, Chet Holmgren had plenty of moments where he struggled against Wembanyama’s size and agility. It wasn’t just about his strength or skill – Wemby was able to move around him more easily than anyone else.
The Thunder aren’t looking for an instant fix, though. Aday Mara has promise but is still raw at 21 years old and not ready to make a major impact right away. His development would take time, but he fits the profile of someone who could help balance out those matchups down the road.
Mara would add a new dimension to OKC defence long-term
Mara has yet to play an NBA game, but even now, there are few doubts about how much he could help in time. Standing over seven feet tall with an enormous wingspan, he covers ground quickly and blocks shots naturally.
For two years, Oklahoma City looked like the team everyone was trying to catch, boasting an MVP, strong depth, and a young core that set the pace.
But San Antonio’s rise changed that narrative. Their win over OKC didn’t just end a playoff run—it highlighted a longer-term challenge. The path to the Finals might go through Wembanyama for years to come.
Thunder looks for marginal Gains, not major changes
The Thunder don’t need to make sweeping changes just because they lost to the Spurs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still at the peak of his powers, Jalen Williams continues to get better, and Chet Holmgren is still coming into his own.
Oklahoma City already has one of the deeper squads in the league, so their focus will be on fine-tuning rather than overhauling.
Oklahoma City holds one of the NBA’s deepest reserves of draft assets, with multiple first-round picks this year and enough future capital to move almost anywhere on the board.
Sam Presti can patch a weakness without touching the core. Most contenders can’t say that, which points toward a targeted move rather than a dramatic one.
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