KZ Okpala hasn’t exactly panned out yet for the Miami Heat. He was selected 32nd overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and acquired by the Heat via trade.
The Miami Heat sent their 2022, 2024, and 2026 second-round picks to the Pacers in a three-team deal that gave them the rights to Okpala. At this point in time, that trade looks like a questionable decision.
In his first two years in the NBA, Okpala hasn’t done much. He has played 42 total games and averaged 11.3 minutes per game.
His career shooting numbers are 38.6% from the field and 23.5% from three-point range. Okpala averages 2.4 points per game and still has a long way to go before cracking the rotation.
Though he was a second-round pick, there were still some solid players left on the board. Looking back, was KZ Okpala the right pick for the Miami Heat?
Players the Miami Heat passed on for KZ Okpala: Daniel Gafford
Daniel Gafford really burst onto the scene last season after he was traded to the Washington Wizards. He has proven to be a quality center in the NBA.
He was taken 38th overall by the Chicago Bulls, just six picks after the Miami Heat selected Okpala. If the Heat picked him, he would be a quality backup center for Bam Adebayo.
After being traded to the Wizards, Gafford averaged 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in only 17.7 minutes of action. These are numbers the Miami Heat could use coming off their bench.
Gafford could still be under contract now and the Miami Heat wouldn’t have to worry about signing a backup center. This would put them in a slightly better position this offseason.
Should the Miami Heat have taken Gafford?: Yes
Players the Miami Heat passed on for KZ Okpala: Eric Paschall
Eric Paschall would have been the perfect player for the Miami Heat to select. Hindsight is 20/20, but his playstyle would be an amazing fit next to Bam Adebayo.
The Golden State Warriors picked Paschall with the 41st pick in the 2019 draft. This was only nine selections after Okpala was taken by the Heat.
At 6-6, Paschall may be undersized to play the four, but he still plays the position well. He can space the floor, and even if he isn’t the best defender, Adebayo would have covered for him perfectly.
Last season, Paschall averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 49.7% from the field and 33.3% from deep.
Though his shooting percentage from deep isn’t great, he is consistently improving from that range. Other than that, he’s a solid mid-range shooter.
Paschall has the potential to turn into a legitimate stretch four who can spend some time at the three as well. He burst onto the scene as a rookie, averaging 14 points per game in his first year.
His play would help shore up Miami’s hole at power forward for a very cheap price. Paschall would have made a much bigger impact than Okpala has in a Miami Heat uniform.
Should the Miami Heat have taken Paschall?: Yes
Players the Miami Heat passed on for KZ Okpala: Terance Mann
Terance Mann was a huge part of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Finals run last season. The Miami Heat could have taken him but had their sights set on Okpala instead.
The Clippers picked Mann with the 48th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. This was a whole 16 picks after the Heat took Okpala, but in the second round, anybody could be taken anywhere.
As mentioned, Mann’s production was a huge reason the Clippers were able to go on such an impressive run in the playoffs last year. He helped lead them to their first-ever trip to the Western Conference Finals.
During the regular season, Mann averaged seven points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. He shot 50.9% from the field and 41.8% from three-point range.
He averaged very similar numbers in the playoffs but capped it off with a massive closeout game against the Jazz in the second round. He put up 39 points in Game 6 to help the Clippers clinch their first WCF berth in franchise history.
The 6-5 wing spent most of his time at shooting guard and small forward, but played a little bit of point guard and power forward for LA, too. He’s a super versatile player who has shown potential in all areas of the game.
Mann would have added some much-needed wing depth to Miami’s rotation, as well as some solid three-point shooting. His contributions would certainly have helped in both of the Heat’s playoff runs in the past two years.
Should the Miami Heat have taken Mann?: Absolutely