The Thunder have waived forward KZ Okpala, the team announced. Okpala was acquired via trade from the Heat earlier this week.
The 32nd overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Stanford, Okpala appeared in just 63 games across three seasons for Miami. In 2021/22, he has averaged 3.7 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 21 contests (11.6 MPG). Okapala hasn’t played since December due to a wrist injury.
If someone claims Okpala off waivers, he’ll eligible for restricted free agency at season’s end. Otherwise, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers. By waiving Okpala, the Thunder clear a spot on their 15-man roster.
It’s possible they could ink Mamadi Diakite to a new deal, since they ended his 10-day contract a day early to complete the trade for Okpala. The trade was clearly about Miami’s future first-round pick that is owed to OKC, which was amended as part of the trade.
Instead of owing Oklahoma City their top-14 protected first-round pick in 2023, the Heat will now owe OKC their 2025 first-rounder (also top-14 protected).
That ’23 first-rounder would have been top-14 protected for three straight seasons before becoming unprotected in 2026. Now, the Heat’s ’25 first-rounder will be lottery-protected for just one year before becoming unprotected in ’26.
Essentially, the Thunder improved their odds of gaining a higher first-rounder by pushing the pick a couple years into the future (when the Heat could theoretically be less assured of having a playoff-caliber roster) and ensuring it has just one year of protection.
The 2026 second-rounder the Heat acquired in the trade will be the least favorable of the Thunder’s, Mavericks’, and Sixers’ second-rounders that year, according to the Heat’s announcement.
Championship moves….
Why did we give up a second then?
Exactly. I would have at least given him a shot as a Thunder fan.
Move the first round pick back….plus they have 47 second rounders over the next 7 years….really didn’t matter
Why did the heat make this deal?
Clear a roster spot get back a second rounder likely in the bottom 10 and get a first round pick sooner but give up a better first rounder another year…
All seems really odd for them but good for the thunder.
The Heat made the move because opening a roster spot allows them to promote Caleb Martin’s two-way contract to a standard deal. That will make him eligible for the playoffs — two-way guys aren’t eligible.
Why not just waive Okpala and promote Martin’s deal. Thus they can keep the more favourable first round pick
Money. By trading Okpala, the Thunder have to pay the remainder of his contract, if he goes unclaimed. Miami stays out of the luxury tax.
His contract was for like 2mil wasn’t it
But their so close to the luxury tax
OKC needed to take back some salary for future years that can be traded for a + for bad contracts as soon as the offseason
I always thought this was a sneaky landing spot for Danilo. They don’t really get to sit these checkpoints out with the path they chose. Surprised at the non activity
I hate basketball trades