What’s Next For The Oklahoma City Thunder Following The Acquisition Of KZ Okpala?

The Oklahoma City Thunder made their first trade of the 2021-22 season on Wednesday afternoon, acquiring KZ Okpala from the Miami Heat. Oklahoma City shipped out a 2026 second-round pick in the deal, but there were additional stipulations to the transaction itself. 

With the Heat wanting to gain flexibility in the future draft capital they’re able to leverage in deals, the two parties also amended the 2023 first-round pick the Miami had previously owed the Thunder. That pick will now be owed to the Thunder starting in 2025 (1-14 protected) and then will convey as unprotected in 2026.

As such, the Heat are now able to be more creative in packages containing future draft capital, while OKC has the chance for that future pick to be even higher with the change in protection. 

So what happens next?

While Okpala is solid prospect, he may not be on the roster for long depending on what happens on Thursday. The 6-foot-8 forward is still just 22 years old and has the frame to be a solid prospect on both ends of the floor with his 7-foot-2 wingspan. 

Spending his entire NBA career in Miami, Okpala never made his way into the regular rotation, meaning the Heat were comfortable parting ways ahead of him entering free agency this summer. 

For both teams, this deal was more about the draft compensation and amendments, but Okpala is still an intriguing player. Through three NBA seasons, the former second-round pick has averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per contest. 

When asked on Wednesday prior to the Thunder’s game against the Toronto Raptors what the plan was for Okpala, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was fairly non-committal. 

“We’re gonna let the dust settle. After the deadline we’ll have a much better idea,” said Daigneault. 

What Okpala’s future in Oklahoma City could come down to is Thursday’s trade deadline. With the Thunder positioned to be compensated to take on unwanted salary from other teams, a roster spot will be needed. Following the trade with Miami, Okpala currently holds that 15th and final roster spot. 

If the Thunder do get the opportunity to earn draft capital or a young player in a salary dump trade at the deadline, Okpala would be the logical player to waive and make that happen. However, if that type of deal doesn’t come to fruition, perhaps he’s a guy they keep on the roster to explore the remainder of the season. 

Okpala’s main competition for that final roster spot assuming he makes it though the deadline is rookie Aaron Wiggins. Currently on a two-way contract, Wiggins has been spectacular in Oklahoma City to this point and would be a great option to be converted to a full-time NBA deal the remainder of the season.  

When it comes down to it, the Thunder made a smart move in the deal to acquire Okpala, but there still is plenty of time to make additional moves before this afternoon’s deadline. If Okpala makes it onto the Thunder roster for the remainder of the season, he’ll still be a free agent this offseason which adds another layer of complexity to this situation.