Every year in early April, NBA mock drafts flood the internet. This year is no different. The Michigan Wolverines were crowned this year’s NCAA men’s champions after a thrilling March Madness tournament. After the tournament ends, everyone interested in the college game quickly pivots to where these players will land at the next level.
The Ringer recently published their latest mock draft. They had national champion Aday Mara heading to the Toronto Raptors with the 17th pick.
Who is Aday Mara?
For anyone who did not follow March Madness closely, Mara is a larger-than-life center who played for Michigan. At 7’3” and 255 lbs, he would immediately enter the NBA as one of the most physically imposing players.
Rim protection will be Mara’s calling card in the professional game. He won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year because of his ability to deter shots at the rim. He was one of only three players to block over 100 shots during the season.
What could keep Mara from going earlier in the draft is his shooting and mobility. NBA offenses are smart and versatile enough to exploit any weakness on opposing defenses.
Mara could be an ace rim protector in the NBA, but if he is not mobile enough to effectively defend the pick-and-roll, he is going to be targeted.
On offense, his inability to space the floor will be talked about, but he has the size and athleticism to create enough gravity in the paint that those concerns are likely overblown. The real concern is his free throw shooting. Mara is projected to be a big, physical player. He only shot 58.5% from the free throw line across three college seasons. That alone could play him off the floor.
Aday Mara’s potential fit in Toronto
Toronto should have two concerns in the draft and free agency: rebounding and three-point shooting. Mara obviously does not address the latter, but he is projected to be one of the best rebounders in this year’s draft class.
The largest concern with drafting Mara is his long-term fit next to Jakob Poeltl and Collin Murray-Boyles. Both players are non-shooting bigs.
Murray-Boyles has the athleticism and versatility to play alongside Mara, but a potential Barnes-Murray-Boyles-Mara front court would be very cramped on offense. That being said, it could form one of the most devastating defensive back lines in the NBA.
Should Toronto draft Mara?
I am a big believer that a team has to establish a clear identity.
Toronto’s fifth-ranked defense suggests the front office wants to build a defensive juggernaut. However, they still need enough offensive balance to rely on that defense to win.
Mara clearly strengthens their defensive identity, but he would also exacerbate their weaknesses. I would support the Raptors taking him in the draft, but that decision would come with an important follow-up: the front office has to add shooting. If they cannot do that, this fit could quickly become problematic.