Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara could face complications ahead of his NBA debut because of an unresolved contractual dispute with his former Spanish club, Casademont Zaragoza.
According to Heraldo de Aragon, Zaragoza claims it still holds the 7-foot-3 center’s playing rights and is demanding a financial settlement related to his departure in 2023.
The Spanish club has reportedly informed the NBA, Oklahoma City, FIBA and the Spanish Basketball Federation that Mara must obtain an official Letter of Clearance before becoming eligible to participate in the 2026-27 regular season.
Zaragoza subsequently confirmed its position through an official statement.
The disagreement began in 2023, when Mara, then 18 years old, unilaterally terminated his contract with Zaragoza to continue his basketball career in the United States.
The club maintains that his original contract was supposed to run through 2027.
The dispute has already resulted in legal proceedings, but no final resolution has been reached.
However, other sources cited by Heraldo de Aragon suggest that the contractual disagreement may not prevent Mara from making his NBA debut.
The Thunder are scheduled to open their regular season on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center.
