The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Aday Mara with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which was just another piece of the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie predicts the 7’3 big man to be a difference-making starter on a playoff team (subscription required). Mara is just the latest piece from what may be the best trade in NBA history.
For those keeping score at home, OKC got SGA, Danilo Gallinari, and five first round draft picks for Paul George in 2019. It was a massive haul thanks to Sam Presti’s leverage. He knew Kawhi Leonard would only sign with the LA Clippers if they traded for PG. To get the two-time MVP would be one thing, but Presti keeps making the return better by drafting impact talent.
Mara joins Jalen Williams and Tre Mann as picks from this deal. Presti flipped the 24 pick in 2025, which was part of a swap, for a protected 2027 first. He likely just wanted to keep the Clippers’ pain going from this nightmare trade. Now, LA will be forced to hear about it again next year.
Aday Mara gives Thunder another marquee talent from the SGA trade
This was the Paul George trade in 2019. SGA had just finished his rookie year, and nobody thought he’d become the best player on the planet. Credit to the Thunder for helping him develop. Now, this is the Gilgeous-Alexander trade.
Here is a look at the full updated details after the Mara pick.
Thunder received: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Jalen Williams, Jamie Jaquez Jr., Tre Mann, Dillon Jones, Nique Clifford, and Aday Mara
Clippers acquired: Paul George, Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Presti flipped the Jaquez Jr. pick for a 2025 first-round pick that turned into Thomas Sorber and sent Clifford packing for a first-rounder in 2027. Yahoo’s Dan Devine gave fans an updated look with the trades factored in.
So, if I have this right, in the final accounting, the Thunder turned Paul George into SGA, Jalen Williams, Thomas Sorber, Brooks Barnhizer, Aday Mara and a protected Kings 2027 first-round pick?
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) June 24, 2026
Decent deal! https://t.co/TzF6gCZ1Ay
Presti just keeps finding ways to make this landslide of a trade look better. The deal set up the Thunder’s current core and won them a championship in 2025. The Clippers reached the conference finals in 2021, but won just three playoff series in PG’s five years with the franchise. That is not great for giving up two future superstars and several other pieces.
Mara could be the Thunder’s answer to Victor Wembanyama. He fills a need. The rookie big man is 7’3 and known for his passing and rim protection. He has the size to match Wemby, and the teenager gives OKC a center on a rookie contract to develop. The Thunder already have spending concerns and will only get more expensive. At some point, they will have to let Isaiah Hartenstein go, and Oklahoma City hopes Mara is ready to step in when it happens.
The 2027 first is actually from San Antonio and is top-16 protected. OKC will likely get a last first-round draft pick that could be traded again to keep the branches of this historic trade alive. The Clippers mortgaged their future to win three playoff series. If they just say no, SGA would be in Los Angeles and may have won the Clippers a title.
The Oklahoma City Thunder fleeced the LA Clippers in the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade, and somehow the deal keeps getting better. The Thunder just drafted Aday Mara and believe he can help keep Wemby in check. If Mara turns into the piece that makes OKC a dynasty, this will unquestionably be the best trade in NBA history. It may already be.
At this point, more improvement feels impossible, but that doesn’t stop it from happening. Watch out for the 2027 draft. Presti will likely get another steal with this latest pick. That is just what the GOAT does.
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