Though the decision to select Aday Mara with the 12 overall pick in last month's draft may have sparked some serious questions regarding Isaiah Hartenstein's future with the club, after the OKC Thunder re-signed him to a new multi-year pact, the veteran's spot in 2026-27 seems to be confidently secure.
Of course, what happens after this coming season is truly anyone's guess.
Even before playing a lick of regular-season action, Mara already seems to have the skill set of an ideal replacement option for I-Hart, especially considering he possesses an under-the-radar trait that specifically made OKC's current franchise pivot so integral in the first place.
Aday Mara's passing makes Hartenstein more replaceable for Thunder
While many may be fixated on the rookie's 7-foot-3, 260-pound build and stellar shot-swatting prowess, one of the most impressive parts of his game comes in the distribution department.
Throughout his collegiate career, Mara displayed serious dime-dropping ability, finishing with an impressive 0.8 assist-to-usage rate.
While the sample size may only be one game, the big man has already showcased this skill of his by dishing out four assists in his Summer League debut.
As Thunder fans are well aware, one of the biggest draws of Hartenstein's offensive game is his efficiency as a passing weapon.
One could easily make the argument that his touch with the ball in his hands, coupled with his 7-foot stature, makes him one of the most dangerous passers Oklahoma City has at their disposal, as he can oversee the entire court and make reads none of his teammates could possibly dream of due to their vertical challenges.
It's no wonder he just wrapped up last season ranking fourth on the team in on-court assists per game.
The aforementioned combination from Hartenstein is what really sets him apart from other players at his position, especially in DHO sets, as his bulk as a screener, along with his feel for finding passing lanes, makes such playtypes so effective.
Along with being a seamless alternate option due to his rim-protecting skills and board-gobbling prowess, Mara's passing could be the deciding factor in making him the heir apparent to I-Hart as OKC's long-term option at the starting five spot.
Though a move such as this shouldn't be expected to come any time soon, with every passing day, it becomes clearer that the Thunder are banking on Mara to be the future of the team's center position.
Based on their respective size and styles of play, the rookie prospect undeniably has the makings of one day taking the reins from Hartenstein.
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