# Who Was OKC Thunder BEST PICK in 2026 NBA Draft? Future Outlook and Ever-Changing West

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-thunder-daily-podcast-on-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-620343/who-was-okc-thunder-best-pick-in-2026-nba-draft-future-outlook-and-ever-changing-west
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-thunder-daily-podcast-on-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-620343/who-was-okc-thunder-best-pick-in-2026-nba-draft-future-outlook-and-ever-changing-west.md
Podcast: [Locked On Thunder - Daily Podcast On The Oklahoma City Thunder](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-thunder-daily-podcast-on-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-620343)
Published: 2026-06-26T06:37:06+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-thunder/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/2bdbc5/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/997c114a-b046-460c-a16f-287631b27f88/episodes/8853833a-4515-4e3c-9f2d-af52f17bd87c/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=997c114a-b046-460c-a16f-287631b27f88&awEpisodeId=8853833a-4515-4e3c-9f2d-af52f17bd87c&feed=TEsSygBL
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Duration seconds: 1958

## Resource

Oklahoma City Thunder land unexpected value with 7’3” Aday Mara at pick 12 in the 2026 NBA Draft—could he be the future centerpiece? Rylan Stiles and Justin Martinez dissect Mara’s elite size, passing vision, and long-term fit beside Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. The conversation explores how Mara’s rookie development could impact OKC’s title hopes and why retaining Hartenstein remains crucial for a championship run. The episode also spotlights Bennett Sturz’s versatile scoring and Ironman college career, plus former OU and Kentucky guard Otega Oweh’s role as a defensive difference-maker. As the Western Conference shakes up—with LaMelo Ball joining the Timberwolves—can the Thunder maintain their contender status? Rylan Stiles and Justin Martinez examine OKC’s draft strategy, future roster flexibility, and the ever-changing landscape of NBA threats.

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