The OKC Thunder Drafted Aday Mara at No. 12 and Everybody Missed the Biggest Steal

Alright, Seattle, buckle up! Day 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft from Brooklyn is in the books, and while everyone was locked on the predictable top two picks, the Oklahoma City Thunder quietly pulled off an absolute masterclass. Seriously, if you blinked, you missed the biggest steal of the night. AJ Dybantsa went to the Washington Wizards at No. 1, and Darryn Peterson landed with the Utah Jazz at No. 2, exactly like everyone thought. But trust me, that's not where the real story is.

Shakes and Surprises in the First Round

Yeah, the first eight picks rolled out exactly as expected, which, let's be real, is kinda boring for draft night drama. But then things got wild in the 20s. Can we talk about Labaron Philon Jr.? The dude fell all the way to the Philadelphia 76ers at pick No. 22! Then, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled a classic move, trading up one spot with the New York Knicks to snag Baylor guard Cameron Carr. You gotta love a team that goes for their guy, right?

The Thunder's Unbelievable Haul

But let's get back to the real headlines, because the Oklahoma City Thunder absolutely cleaned up. They didn't just have one first-round pick, they had multiple, just like the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks. But the Thunder, man, they secured Aday Mara at No. 12. And get this: Mara was projected to go *inside the top 10*! That's a massive grab right there. And they weren't done! Just a few picks later, they added Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz. That's two strong additi

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

ons in one round. This is how you build a squad, folks, by finding value where others don't.

Defensive Focus and Raw Talent

Other teams had their own strategies, too. The Atlanta Hawks, for example, got themselves a B overall grade after trading away Trae Young last season to retool their roster. They're clearly all about defense now. At No. 8, they landed Kingston Flemings, a point guard from Houston, who got a B+. He's one of the quickest guards in the draft and a two-way player, perfect for running the second unit, with experience playing with veteran guys. Then at No. 23, they grabbed Zuby Ejiofor, a center from St. John's, who got a C+. Ejiofor is one of the best defenders in the class, even if he felt a bit like a reach. Both these guys are probably starting as reserves, but their D-skills will definitely get them on the floor. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics, also with a B grade, saw Chris Cenac Jr., a power forward from Houston, stop his slide at pick No. 27. Cenac is a raw prospect, but he's got the tools to be a two-way impact player, and in Boston, he won't be rushed, which is smart player development. So, Day 1 brought the expected at the top, but some serious value grabs and surprises deeper in the round. Now, get ready for Day 2, starting Wednesday. There are still a bunch of high-profile college players left on the board, like Duke's Isaiah Evans, Arkansas' Meleek Thomas, and North Carolina's Henri Veesaar. CBS Sports will be grading every single pick, so you know the drama isn't over yet. Who's gonna make the next big move? We're all watching!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.