Thunder Draft Aday Mara, NBA Fans Hype 7'3" Center as 'Wemby Stopper' After Spurs Playoff Loss

After losing to the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama in the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder added a new big man to their roster.

The Thunder drafted 7'3" Michigan center Aday Mara 12th overall on Tuesday, and fans believe that pick was a direct response to the loss to Wembanyama.

Wembanyama's combination of size and athleticism is something the league has never seen, and every team in the West must do its best to try to build a roster capable of slowing him down.

The Thunder now have Mara, plus the 7'1" Chet Holmgren in the frontcourt, so it's clear they're preparing for another meeting with the Spurs in the playoffs.

Mara was one of college basketball's best shot blockers last year, averaging 2.6 blocks per game and breaking Michigan's single-season record for blocks. He also put up 12.1 points and 6.8 boards per game.

Whether he will be the missing piece for OKC to get back to the Finals remains to be seen.