Miami Heat: 3 players earning a spot in the rotation this preseason
By Jack Simone
Miami Heat players earning a rotation spot this preseason: KZ Okpala
The Miami Heat have always liked KZ Okpala’s upside as a player. However, the one thing he was never able to do is perform consistently on the offensive end.
He struggled on offense for the Heat, for Team Nigeria, and even in Summer League this offseason. However, things are looking up for the young wing.
So far this preseason, Okpala’s three-point shot has looked as good as it ever has. Through the two games he has played he has managed to shoot 3-8 from deep.
Now, this may seem like a ridiculously small sample size, and that’s because it is. However, it shows that he still has the potential to become a decent shooter from range.
Okpala has always had the defensive tools to compete in the league. The way he moves his feet is that of a 10-year veteran, and that’s not the type of thing that is easily taught in the NBA.
Despite this, he just hasn’t been able to produce on the offensive end. If he can continue to shoot at the level he is right now, there’s no reason he can’t get minutes during the regular season.
The path for Okpala to earn a rotational spot is fairly easy, too, as the Miami Heat don’t have a ton of wing depth. If Okpala can turn into even an average three-point shooter, then it would do wonders for Miami’s bench unit.