Boring Aday Mara development should pay off well with Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara has shown notable improvement from the free-throw line during the preseason. Through four preseason games, Mara shot the second-most free throws in the league with 19 attempts, converting at a 78.9 percent rate. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault noted that Mara has worked consistently with the coaching staff during the offseason to refine his shooting mechanics at the stripe.

The improvement follows a three-year collegiate career where Mara shot 58.5 percent on free throws, including 56.4 percent at Michigan. Additionally, writer Mark Nilon highlights that Mara logged 19 minutes alongside starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Isaiah Hartenstein against the Indiana Pacers, suggesting the rookie center is positioned for a regular role in the Thunder rotation.