KZ Okpala Proving Valuable As Multiple Defensive Tool

Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) drives to the basket as Miami Heat forward KZ Okpala (11) defends
(Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports)

Undermanned and heavily criticized for having insufficient depth, the Miami Heat have defied the odds, and have once again found themselves trending upwards. This time though, it’s been accomplished without the efforts of their three premier scoring leaders in Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo.

Miami has now won four of their last six games while depending on four undrafted prospects (with the exclusion of Duncan Robinson) to contribute in extended minutes. However, the opportunity has never been larger for KZ Okpala, although not undrafted, but rather a second-round draft selection almost three years ago.

The Heat have been padlock attached to Okpala’s talents since they doubled down on him during the NBA draft night of 2019, sending three future second-rounders for him. They were even reportedly reluctant to include him in a potential trade for P.J. Tucker last winter.

Now, a season later, Okpala is reaping the benefits — and an earful of knowledge from one of the more vehement defenders in the NBA. But combining those benefits with the physical tools, it’s allowed Okpala to take his development to an even further level.

Though still working through impairment as an offensive player, Okpala has provided valuable minutes as a multi-positional defender, ascending to becoming another insertable option for head coach Erik Spoelstra. Though partially due to need, it comes at a time when Spo is working without his defensive anchor in Bam Adebayo.