Lakers may need to go all-in on NCAA champion after NBA Draft Combine

Michigan Wolverines center Aday Mara has consistently surfaced on mock drafts as a projected pick for the Los Angeles Lakers. It's an interesting possibility to consider, as Mara helped Michigan win the 2026 National Championship as one-third of a dominant interior trio.

Though question marks remain, the Lakers may need to pencil Mara in as the No. 1 player on their board after his eye-opening day at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine.

Mara, 21, transferred from UCLA to Michigan ahead of the 2025-26 season and instantly rewarded their transfer portal interest. He helped anchor a remarkable interior alongside fellow projected first-round picks Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr., winning the 2026 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

Though the film was already intriguing, Mara reached new heights as a player of interest by checking in as one of the most physically imposing prospects in NBA Draft Combine history.

Standing at 7'3" without shoes and boasting an otherworldly 7'6" wingspan and 9'9" standing reach, Mara has the size to be an instant game changer for a Lakers defense in need of an interior anchor.

Aday Mara checks in at 7'3" with a 7'6" wingspan, 9'9" standing reach

From a size perspective alone, Mara is a fascinating prospect to evaluate and ultimately consider at No. 25 overall. With him roaming the paint, the Lakers would have a big man whose mere presence on the court could act as a deterrent to slashers and post scorers alike.

What makes Mara worth penciling in as a top target, however, is that he doesn't just get by on his size—he's a genuinely intriguing player.

Defensively, Mara is a tremendous shot blocker who averaged 2.6 blocks per game and 4.4 blocks per 40 minutes in 2025-26. He also pulled down 8.3 defensive rebounds per 40 minutes, which was up from his average of 6.8 in 2024-25.

Considering Mara was competing for rebounds with two other potential NBA starters in Johnson and Lendeborg, that makes his production all the more intriguing.

Aday Mara can be the Lakers' long-awaited defensive anchor

Beyond the numbers, Mara is surprisingly nimble for a player his size. He won't win many footraces with NBA players, but he has strong footwork along the interior and is quick to react when providing help-side defense.

Mara is also quick off of his feet and does a respectable job of recovering when slashers attack off the bounce and leave him out of position.

There may ultimately be NBA matchups against whom Mara struggles, as his size and mobility come with fair concerns. The upside here, however, is that he can make his mark without necessarily relying on his foot speed or agility—neither of which are necessarily weaknesses.

With defensive potential that's based on a combination of his size, footwork, instincts, and timing rather than just his measurements, Mara could be a major addition via the NBA Draft.

Aday Mara isn't your average super-sized center

On the offensive end of the floor, Mara is a compelling prospect, as well. He's a skilled post scorer who can make multiple moves with his back to the basket and finish over either shoulder. He's also a surprisingly quick dive man who can finish above the rim.

The latter skill makes him a fascinating potential fit alongside Luka Doncic, who has proven in the past to benefit from playing with high-level lob targets.

The most intriguing skill in Mara's offensive arsenal isn't his scoring, however, but his playmaking. He regularly received passes in the high post in 2025-26 and routinely hit slashing scorers and open shooters for scoring opportunities. That strength could go a long way toward simplifying the game for Doncic as a scorer and playmaker.

Compounded by the fact that Mara averaged 4.0 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, he may just be the two-way big the Lakers need.

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