Aday Mara's Contract Addressed by Thunder in Response to Claims by Spanish Team Basket Zaragoza

The Oklahoma City Thunder released a statement Friday regarding Spanish team Basket Zaragoza's claim that they still hold the playing rights to rookie center Aday Mara.

A Thunder spokesperson told Marc Stein: "Aday last played three years of NCAA college basketball and therefore, as advised by the NBA, no clearance from the Spanish team is required for him to play in the NBA."

Per Johnny Askounis of EuroHoops.net, Spanish newspaper Heraldo de Aragon reported recently that Basket Zaragoza claims to hold Mara's playing rights and plans to block him from playing for the Thunder until and unless a financial settlement is reached.

Basket Zaragoza has reportedly warned the Thunder and the NBA that a formal Letter of Clearance is needed in order for Mara to play during the 2026-27 NBA regular season, although the situation is reportedly not expected to delay his debut for OKC.

Mara, who is from Spain, played for Basket Zaragoza from 2021 to 2023 before moving to the United States to play college basketball.

The 7'3" big man spent two seasons at UCLA and one at Michigan, truly breaking out last season with the Wolverines. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.4 assists per game en route to winning a national championship.

OKC selected Mara with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, adding him to a roster that won the NBA championship in 2025.

Mara could be a key contributor off the bench for the Thunder as a rookie after impressing during the preseason with averages of 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 blocks per game.

While Basket Zaragoza is claiming he is under contract at the club through 2027 and is threatening to take action, the Thunder's statement suggests they intend on having him available when they open their regular-season slate against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.