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Aday Mara needs no Spanish clearance, Thunder say cover
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Aday Mara needs no Spanish clearance, Thunder say

Mara’s former Spanish club disputes his 2026–27 contract status, while Oklahoma City cites advice from the NBA.

By Beat Chuck Sports Desk / 1 source / Published October 16, 2026

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  • The Thunder say Aday Mara can play in the NBA despite his former Spanish club’s threat to oppose his international transfer.

  • A team spokesperson told reporter Marc Stein on Friday that the NBA had advised Oklahoma City that Mara needs no clearance from Basket Zaragoza after playing three years of college basketball. CBS Sports also reported the team’s response.

    Zaragoza had issued a statement Friday saying it considers Mara under contract for 2026-27. The club said it had received no international transfer request and would formally oppose one if it arrived.

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  • The Spanish club says it informed the Thunder, NBA, FIBA and Spanish federation of its position after June’s draft. It argues that Mara’s 2023 departure for UCLA did not extinguish his contract, and says it has pursued its rights in court.

    Mara, 21, played two seasons at UCLA and one at Michigan before Oklahoma City selected him 12th in this year’s draft. He helped Michigan win the national championship and has spent preseason with the Thunder.

    Cameron Salerno’s CBS Sports report, including the Thunder’s response