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Miami Heat: 3 goals for KZ Okpala in the 2019-20 season

By Tristan Tucker

PALO ALTO, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Stanford Cardinal forward KZ Okpala (0) goes up between Washington State Cougars forward Marvin Cannon (5) and Washington State Cougars forward Robert Franks (3) towards the rim during the game between the Washington State Cougars and Stanford Cardinals on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Stanford Cardinal forward KZ Okpala (0) goes up between Washington State Cougars forward Marvin Cannon (5) and Washington State Cougars forward Robert Franks (3) towards the rim during the game between the Washington State Cougars and Stanford Cardinals on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 14: KZ Okpala poses for a portrait at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Make an all-rookie team

This might be one of the hardest years in NBA history to achieve this feat, as there are only ten slots to go around and 57 out of the 60 drafted players are slated to play for their teams this season, though a handful are on two-way contracts. This is also pending the decision of Deividas Sirvydas, so this number could rise.

Okpala will be competing for this spot against the likes of Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, RJ Barrett and many more that will be starting right away. He is also competing against his own teammates Herro and Kendrick Nunn.

The last time the Heat had a player on an all-rookie team was back in 2015-16, when Winslow made the All-Rookie second team. Since then the Heat have had excellent rookies like Rodney McGruder in 2016-17, who played in 78 out of 82 games (the most by a Heat rookie since Mario Chalmers) and was an integral piece of the infamous 30-11 run that season, and Adebayo in 2017-18, who played an outstanding role in the rotation throughout the playoffs despite not seeing much playing time to begin the year.

Neither of those players made an all-rookie team, and the Heat had no rookie play consistent enough minutes in the 2018-19 season. However, Okpala and Herro both have a chance to make an All-Rookie squad for the Heat, and join a nice collection of players from the Heat that have earned this honor in the past such as Dwyane Wade and Glen Rice.

In fact, only eleven players in Heat history have made an all-rookie team. This includes Winslow in 2015-16, Michael Beasley and Chalmers in 2008-09, Wade and Udonis Haslem in 2003-04, Caron Butler in 2002-03, Steve Smith in 1991-92, Willie Burton in 1990-91, Sherman Douglas and Rice in 1989-90 and Kevin Edwards in 1988-89. This ranks tied with the Bucks for 20th all-time in terms of players selected to all-rookie teams, and almost every other team that is below the Heat has not come anywhere close to the success the Heat has attained as a franchise. This means either rookie making an all-rookie team is very significant for the franchise.

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