Casademont Zaragoza claims it still holds Mara's rights through 2027 and wants a financial settlement before he can play in the NBA.
Aday Mara's NBA career is off to a complicated start before it even begins. The 7-foot-3 center, picked No. 12 overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder out of Michigan in June's 2026 NBA Draft, is now the subject of a contract dispute with his former Spanish club.
Liga ACB side Casademont Zaragoza says it still holds Mara's playing rights through 2027, based on a contract he signed with the club as a teenager. According to the Spanish newspaper Heraldo de Aragón, the club plans to block Mara from playing for another team until a financial settlement over his departure is reached, a position relayed by Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops.
The Thunder pushed back Friday, insisting no clearance is needed and that Mara is eligible to play immediately. Zaragoza, for its part, said it wishes Mara the best of luck.
The standoff leaves Mara's availability in limbo as the two sides disagree over whether his old contract still applies now that he's headed to the NBA. No resolution has been announced.