Miami Heat: 3 players feeling the pressure after offseason signings
By Jack Simone
Pat Riley decided to go full throttle this offseason. He turned the Miami Heat into legitimate title contenders with all the moves he made.
The Heat signed Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker, and Markieff Morris. In addition, they also brought back a few key players from last year’s roster.
They are primed to make a run for the title and will be a competent playoff team at the very least. That being said, the moves do put some pressure on various players throughout the organization.
Based on the moves Miami made this offseason, which players are now under the spotlight? Who’s going to be feeling the pressure the most this season?
Also. Should Max Strus and Gabe Vincent get larger roles?. light
Miami Heat players feeling the pressure: KZ Okpala
KZ Okpala will be entering his third NBA season this year and hasn’t shown the team much so far. They traded up to get him in the 2019 NBA Draft, and it hasn’t really paid off.
He’s never been a regular rotational player and just can’t seem to find his rhythm on either end of the floor. With the moves the Heat made this offseason, he should certainly be feeling the pressure.
Miami brought in PJ Tucker and Markieff Morris. While those two play the four, and Okpala is more of a three, they will still be taking some frontcourt minutes away from him.
With less room for error now, Okpala’s playing time will likely take a massive hit this year. If he doesn’t make use of his limited minutes, he could be off the team as soon as next season.