On Wednesday afternoon, the Miami Heat announced that they have traded forward KZ Okpala to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a second-round pick in 2026, which will be the lessor from either OKC, the Dallas Mavericks, or the Philadelphia 76ers.
OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have acquired a 2026 second round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for KZ Okpala.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 9, 2022
Much love, KZ ? pic.twitter.com/TVVV8I2z8B
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 9, 2022
In addition to the trade, both teams agreed to amend the details of the first-round pick the Heat owed, via the Clippers as a part of the Paul George trade, to Oklahoma. Originally, the pick was lottery-protected for 2023, 2024, and 2025 and was unprotected for 2026.
Now, they will owe their 2025 protected first-round pick and if it’s not conveyed it will be unprotected for 2026. The Heat will have their 2022 and 2023 first-round picks available to be used in an eventual trade as the NBA’s trade deadline is coming on Thursday.
With Miami, Okpala hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase his abilities. He has played only 63 games in three seasons and has career averages of 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per game.
