Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara, the 12th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, might not even get to play in the regular season. Basket Zaragoza, the Spanish club Mara played for before college, dropped a statement Friday saying the big man is still under contract for the 2026-27 season and they are NOT happy about his move to the Thunder.
Zaragoza’s Contract Standoff Threatens NBA Dream
Basket Zaragoza isn’t playing around. They’ve gone public, declaring that they haven’t gotten any official international transfer request for Mara. What’s more, they’re straight-up saying they’ll block it if one comes their way! They’ve shouted this from the rooftops, telling everyone from the Thunder to the NBA, FIBA, and even the Spanish Basketball Federation exactly where they stand.
This isn’t just a petty squabble either. A Spanish newspaper, Heraldo de Aragon, reported Zaragoza wants a financial settlement for Mara’s departure. This whole thing has been in litigation and still doesn’t have a legal resolution. They’re telling everyone Mara needs a formal Letter of Clearance to even suit up for the 2026-27 Regular Season. Talk about a curveball for a guy who’s been crushing it.
Thunder Says ‘No Clearance Needed’ While Mara Dominates
But hold up, the Thunder are firing back! On the same Friday, a team spokesperson shot down Zaragoza’s claims, saying “no clearance from the Spanish team is required” for Mara to play in the NBA. Their logic? Aday spent three years in NCAA college basketball, and the NBA apparently advises that means no clearance is needed from his old club. FIBA doesn’t require international transfers for NCAA players, so maybe that’s their angle.
This is wild because Mara, the 7-foot-3 big man, left his hometown club Zaragoza back in 2023 to kick off his college career at UCLA. He balled out for two seasons with the Bruins, then bounced to Michigan where he was a *crucial cog* in their national championship run. He was absolutely one of the best shot blockers in college, which clearly helped him snag that 12th overall pick. And you know what? Mara’s been absolutely lights-out in the preseason! He’s only 21 and already a star. In his third preseason game against the Hawks, the dude dropped 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks in 33 minutes. He’s supposed to be a HUGE piece off the bench for the Thunder this season.
The Thunder open their 2026-27 season against the San Antonio Spurs on October 20. But with Zaragoza digging in their heels, the biggest question isn’t how Mara will perform, it’s if he’ll even be on the court for opening night. What a mess, man!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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