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Aday Mara Works on Conditioning
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara is working on his NBA conditioning in Spain with Maral Javadifar, the team's athletic performance director, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. Javadifar spent the past seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was part of the Super Bowl LV staff that beat Kansas City. Mara, the No. 12 pick in June out of national champion Michigan, remains a long-term fantasy stash rather than an early contributor. He is set to compete with Jaylin Williams for backup center minutes behind Isaiah Hartenstein, while Chet Holmgren anchors the frontcourt. Mara is also on Spain's roster for World Cup qualifiers against Portugal on Friday and Greece on Monday.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Isaiah Hartenstein is Battling Ankle Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) won't play for Germany during this summer's FIBA 2027 World Cup Qualifiers, according to basketnews.com. The big man is currently sitting out while managing an ankle injury. He has decided to play it safe and get fully healthy for the beginning of training camp. This injury sounds minor and shouldn't be something that lingers into the regular season. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status closer to training camp.
Source: basketnews.com
Source: basketnews.com
Isaiah Hartenstein Joins Germany's Qualifier Roster
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein was named to Germany's 15-player roster for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, giving head coach Alex Mumbru another NBA frontcourt option. Hartenstein joins Dennis Schroder and Tristan da Silva as Germany's NBA trio for the window against the Netherlands and Poland. The 28-year-old recently re-signed with Oklahoma City on a three-year, $75 million deal after averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 47 games last season. The Germany stint does not change his fantasy value. Back with the Thunder, he remains a strong piece for rebounds, assists, and field-goal percentage next to Chet Holmgren.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Aday Mara Tallies 14 Points on Perfect Shooting Against Denver
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara tallied 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting, seven rebounds, and six assists in 25 minutes during Tuesday's 106-103 Las Vegas Summer League loss to Denver. The Spanish big man was flawless from the floor but shot only 1-for-5 at the line, an issue that follows him from Michigan. The passing is the real story: six assists from a 7-foot-3 center is unusual, and it fits a Thunder offense that runs actions through its bigs. Bennett Stirtz led Oklahoma City with 22 points as the team fell to 0-3. Mara's path to minutes runs through Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, though, so his rookie fantasy value depends on someone ahead of him missing time.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Aday Mara Blocks Four Shots in Thunder Loss
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara made his biggest impact around the rim Monday, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and four blocks across 23 minutes in an 82-77 Salt Lake City Summer League loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The No. 12 overall pick was the only Thunder starter to reach double figures. His shot-blocking was the bigger fantasy takeaway, especially after he averaged 2.6 blocks per game at Michigan last season. Mara still needs work on offense after shooting 3-for-9 from the field and 2-for-4 at the line, but his rim protection gives him a clear fantasy path if he earns steady minutes.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Aday Mara Fills Box Score in Thunder Summer-League Debut
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara finished with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in a 111-74 Salt Lake City Summer League loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The No. 12 pick did not have a huge scoring night, but the passing and rim protection were encouraging signs from the 7-foot-3 rookie. Mara averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks at Michigan, so the defensive stats fit the profile. His fantasy value is more long-term than immediate, with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, and Thomas Sorber crowding Oklahoma City's frontcourt.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Thomas Sorber Undergoes Minor Right-Knee Procedure
Oklahoma City Thunder center Thomas Sorber (knee) underwent a successful minor arthroscopic procedure and is expected to return to full basketball activities in about four weeks, according to Brandon Rahbar. The 20-year-old rookie was selected No. 15 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 blocks at Georgetown. Sorber has an intriguing long-term fantasy profile because of his rebounding and shot-blocking, but Oklahoma City's crowded frontcourt with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, and Aday Mara leaves him without a clear path to early-season minutes.
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Branden Carlson Signs with Trail Blazers on One-Year Deal
Free-agent center Branden Carlson has agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Carlson spent the last two seasons in Oklahoma City's system and averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.6 blocks in 11.6 minutes last season while shooting 52.7% from the field and 36.0% from three. The 7-footer gives Portland another stretch-capable big, but Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III, and Yang Hansen leave him buried for now. Carlson's fantasy value likely needs injuries or a trade to open a clearer path.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Isaiah Hartenstein Agrees to a New Three-Year Contract with the Thunder
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein intends to sign a new three-year, $75 million contract that keeps him with the franchise through 2028-29. The deal brings his total guaranteed earnings with Oklahoma City to five years and $134 million. Hartenstein remained a key frontcourt piece last season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 24.2 minutes across 47 games. His scoring ceiling is modest, but the rebounding, efficiency, passing, and defensive stats keep him useful whenever his minutes land in the mid-20s. The new deal confirms that Oklahoma City still views him as a central part of its frontcourt mix.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Aday Mara Brings Rim Protection to Oklahoma City
Looking for frontcourt size and a possible answer for center Victor Wembanyama, the Oklahoma City Thunder drafted 7-foot-3 Michigan center Aday Mara at No. 12 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks while anchoring the national champions' interior. Mara is an elite rim protector and a gifted passer for his size, though limited shooting and foot speed cap his fit on a switch-heavy roster. For fantasy, the path to minutes is essentially blocked: Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams already crowd the Thunder's frontcourt on a title contender. Mara is off fantasy radars as a long-term developmental stash whose value only emerges if that room thins years down the line.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Thomas Sorber Unlikely to Play in Summer League
Oklahoma City Thunder center Thomas Sorber (knee) is unlikely to be ready for Summer League, according to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. Thunder general manager Sam Presti said Sorber has impressed the organization with his rehab work after missing the 2025-26 season because of a torn right ACL. The 20-year-old was selected 15th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks at Georgetown. Until Oklahoma City gives a firmer ramp-up plan, Sorber is more of a long-range stash than a player to chase for early-season fantasy production.
Source: Justin Martinez
Source: Justin Martinez
Isaiah Hartenstein Hopeful to Stay with Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein would like to remain with the organization long-term. His future with the team is uncertain, with Hartenstein having a $28.5 million team option for the 2026-2027 season. The big man is grateful for his time with the organization and would love to stay in Oklahoma City. This past season, Hartenstein averaged 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 24.2 minutes per game in 47 games. Hartenstein saw a slightly reduced role with the team during his second year with the organization. It's hard to imagine the team paying him nearly $30 million, given the depth they have on this roster. A change of scenery could help Hartenstein's overall value, but we'll see what happens this summer.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Chet Holmgren Fails to Step Up in the Season Finale
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren recorded four points, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in Saturday's 111-103 Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The 24-year-old was a non-factor on the offensive end, going 1-for-2 from the field and 2-for-4 at the charity stripe over 32 minutes. Although Holmgren offered some utility with his defensive production, his lack of assertiveness was glaring as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shouldered the scoring burden with 35 points. Holmgren closes out his campaign having maintained his status as an elite rim protector, but he must increase his shooting volume to make himself more impactful on the offensive end next season.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Isaiah Hartenstein Provides Steady Production in Defeat
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in Sunday's 103-82 Game 4 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The 28-year-old was an efficient contributor for an offense that struggled, going 6-for-11 from the field while his teammates went cold against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio defense. Although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren command the bulk of the usage, Hartenstein is still a reliable fantasy performer. He averages 9.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game this season and will look to maintain his steady production as the series shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 5.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Chet Holmgren Has a Quiet Offensive Night on Sunday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren recorded 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one block in Sunday's 103-82 Game 4 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The 24-year-old struggled to find his stroke, going 3-for-8 from the field and 4-for-6 at the free-throw line. Holmgren's quiet offensive night mirrored the larger issues for the Thunder, who shot a franchise-worst 33 percent against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs' defense. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was also contained, finishing with just 19 points in the blowout defeat. Holmgren remains a steady interior presence, but he must rediscover his scoring rhythm to help the defending champions reclaim the series advantage in Tuesday's Game 5.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
