Aday Mara played a featured role as the Michigan Wolverines won the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Mara then showed out at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. Those events have led many to speculate that the 7'3" center will be a lottery pick and a potentially perfect fit with the Oklahoma City Thunder as they look to slow down Victor Wembanyama.
Though Mara is a fascinating prospect with remarkable potential, he isn't the only Michigan big man Oklahoma City should consider. Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg should be on the radar, as well.
Michigan overwhelmed opponents with a three-headed interior monster that few teams had a mere prayer of matching. With Johnson, Lendeborg, and Mara, they had three players who could work inside, defend multiple areas of the court, and even space the floor.
All three are now projected first-round draft picks who have collective and individual accolades fueling their respective hype trains.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, has uncertainty at center with Isaiah Hartenstein's club option and Thomas Sorber's 2025 injury looming large. It doesn't necessarily need to draft a big man, but with the No. 12 and No. 17 overall selections, many are urging the Thunder to invest in the position.
Thankfully, Johnson and Lendeborg would be excellent selections if Mara isn't on the board—and one might even be able to argue in favor of their fit.
Morez Johnson Jr. is an explosive athlete, rapidly improving skill player
At the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, Johnson measured at 6'9" without shoes and 250.6 pounds with a 7'3.5" wingspan. He also posted a 39.0" max vertical leap and recorded consistently impressive marks in the athletic drills—ranking No. 1 in the lane agility drill among power forwards and centers.
Each of those facts translate well to film, as Johnson covers ground like a wing, jumps out of the gym, throws his weight around, and thus makes his presence felt on both ends of the floor.
Johnson is a tremendous offensive rebounder who averaged 6.2 offensive boards per 40 minutes in 2024-25 and 4.0 in 2025-26. The latter mark was recorded in a crowded frontcourt. He's also an impressive shot-blocker who has become significantly more disciplined in just two seasons.
As a freshman, Johnson blocked 2.5 shots per 40 minutes, but committed 5.7 fouls per 40. As a sophomore, he blocked 1.8 to 3.7 fouls. He also came up with 1.1 steals per 40.
Johnson is also a rapidly improving offensive player who can operate both near and away from the basket. He can play above the rim, work the pick and roll, and even space the floor. Despite not attempting a single three as a freshman, he buried 12 on 34.3 percent shooting as a sophomore.
In this writer's opinion, Johnson has legitimate star potential as a hybrid big and is just as likely to thrive in a more strictly defined role. Alongside Chet Holmgren, he can give OKC the athleticism and versatility they currently lack at center.
Yaxel Lendeborg is experienced, a winner, and remarkably well-rounded
Lendeborg, meanwhile, is a bit more polarizing. He'll turn 24 before the start of his rookie NBA season and is thus viewed as having a lower ceiling. Even still, that fact—one that has caused countless great prospects to plummet down big boards—hasn't prevented him from being a projected lottery selection.
That's due in no small part to the fact that Lendeborg offers a bit of everything on both ends of the floor and is praised as both a leader and an individual talent.
Lendeborg was a double-double machine, a defensive stalwart, and an offensive dynamo at UAB. That culminated with a 2024-25 season during which he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.7 offensive boards, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 three-point field goals made on .522/.357/.757 shooting.
When he transferred to Michigan and joined a frontcourt that had a surplus of talent, Lendeborg sacrificed his individual numbers for team success and made the ultimate case for future NBA glory.
Lendeborg still thrived in all of the same areas, but he cut back on his volume as a scorer and rebounder, and focused on fitting a winning culture and system. He improved his conversions and efficiency as a shooter, continued to create for his teammates, and made life chaotic for opposing scorers and playmakers—all the while committing just 1.1 turnovers and 1.7 personal fouls in 30.2 minutes per game.
With a 7'3.25" wingspan, a powerful 241-pound frame, a well-rounded skill set, and a championship pedigree, Lendeborg would be a dream fit in Oklahoma City.
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