Miami Heat: To KZ or Not to KZ Okpala… That’s the Question – Rob’s Take
Through the Miami Heat’s first three Summer League contests, KZ Okpala has definitely not stood out or met expectations for Assistant Coach Malik Allen and crew.
Rob’s Take (@BleedGreene34)
When the 2019 second-round pick inked a multi-year deal with Miami after being dealt from Phoenix shortly after the draft, Okpala was bouncing back and forth from the Heat to their G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Two years later, his job in Miami appears to be in jeopardy.
Starting all three games for Miami in Las Vegas, Okpala has struggled, scoring only 20 points with a horrendous shooting percentage of 22.2 from the field and 16.7 percent from distance. Only sinking two threes thus far, the 22-year-old out of Stanford has averaged 6.6 points per game, seven rebounds, two turnovers, and not to mention, an ugly 60 percent from the free-throw line.
Of course, Okpala’s abilities to be active in the paint on either side of the ball with his energy, to help create spacing in the half-court for others, and helping create plays around the basket can be beneficial in Spoelstra’s offense, especially with Dewayne Dedmon as the backup rim protector, but there is still no room.
Not only were the Heat arguably the biggest winners in free agency, with acquisitions such as the premeditated Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade, while also signing fitting names such as P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris, they’ve also had some unusual faces performing well in Las Vegas.
Bottom roster guys such as Max Strus, Omer Yurtseven and Marcus Garrett have each shown their capabilities of knocking down huge shots, making momentum swinging plays, and while also highly contributing on the defensive end.
With what is now one of the deepest teams in the East and having already been influenced by enough prospects, it won’t hurt Miami if Okpala is no longer on the roster moving forward after his Summer League performances.