Heat forward KZ Okpala is making a strong case to be in the team’s rotation this season, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes. Okpala, the No. 32 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, played in just five games last season, but the 21-year-old has impressed teammates and staffers alike during training camp.
“His physical tools are what impressed us, in particular the scouting department with Chet [Kammerer] and Adam [Simon] and Eric Amsler and Keith [Askins],” coach Erik Spoelstra said of why the team drafted Okpala. “They all just really thought it was unique how he can move his feet for someone his size. Then his length and he can seem bigger even than what he is. But he had to learn our system, learn the NBA and get in great shape and then be available day after day.
“This has really been a process since the quarantine in May and June when he was really working just to get his body right doing a lot of player development. That’s a credit to his work and consistency. … I would say he’s probably, considering everything, he probably was arguably top-three best conditioned going into camp, which was important and much different than his previous camp last year.”
Okpala, a 6’8″ forward, could help fill the holes left by Jae Crowder and Derrick Jones Jr., both of whom left in free agency. The Heat lack clarity on a starting five; they could choose to start Meyers Leonard alongside Bam Adebayo, as they did at the beginning of last season, or they could play small and start one of Okpala, Maurice Harkless or Andre Iguodala. The team could also give rookie Precious Achiuwa a shot in the lineup depending on his play.
Okpala had his best game in a Heat uniform on Friday, scoring 24 points, grabbing five rebounds and shooting 9-of-15 from the floor in 34 minutes of work.
There’s more from the Southeast Division tonight:
- In a separate story for the Miami Herald, Anthony Chiang examines how Max Strus earned a two-way contract with the Heat. Strus, a 24-year-old sharpshooter, finished with 22 points off the bench on Friday, shooting 6-of-8 from 3-point range. He split time between Chicago and Windy City during the 2019/20 season.
- John Hollinger of The Athletic previews the Hornets‘ upcoming season, examining what steps the team could take with the additions of Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball. Charlotte finished just 23-42 last season and ranked 29th in the NBA in offensive efficiency (106.3).
- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer examines Malik Monk‘s future with the Hornets. Charlotte drafted Monk, 22, with the No. 11 pick in 2017, but he’s struggled to gain a rhythm early in his career. He shot under 40% from the field in both of his first two seasons, managing to raise the mark to 43% last season — though his 28% shooting from deep was a career-low.
I grade Heat A+ on trade , free agency and draft market
Richardson for Butler straight up
Totals of $3 million to sign Duncan Robinson and Nunn
Draft Herro
Look good in future trade and continue like this
Can easily take down Celtics and 76ers in future
Is 20th pick Achiuwa better than 10th pick Jalen Smith?
Achiuwa is a starter for great team and Smith is a bench for bottom line playoffs team?
He is not a starter, check the article; Richardson/Butler did not get traded straight up.
Bradley, Robinson, Butler, Harkless, Bam
Dragic, Iguodala, Olynyk, Herro, Achiuwa/Okpala, Nunn primary bench rotation
Okpala, Leonard/Silva depending on matchups
Achiuwa reminds me of a remedial James Johnson, so if they can help him develop some of his raw areas, that would help them in what has been an area of need, with size at the 4, for the last couple of years…if Okpala can show what he is theoretically capable of, that would also be a huge boost at that spot
Silva is actually really good. He can do a little bit of everything, not necessarily like Bam, but he has some similarities to UD as well…He just has to cut down on the bad fouls, as he mentioned, and make slightly better decisions a little more consistently. I think there should be minutes for him b/c he works hard
Heat draft well and have good eye for talent. They also develop players well. They are a good organization. They care of business. I think they still need a big. A rim protector imo. Surprised they didn’t go after Howard. For minimum he was perfect. Achiuwa is a nice talent similar to Bam. To start they should go with Leonard. Bam is not a true C. Why burn him out. Olynyk and Leonard can hold down the C. But You need Bam for playoffs. Achiuwa was a steal for Heat. I thought Celtics would take him.
Monk came in as a shooter and scorer. Hasn’t really been consistent. Time is running out. It thought he could be a rotation guy. Bring consistent scoring off bench.