Miami Heat Receive: F Kenrich Williams, WAS 2023 2nd Round Pick (via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F KZ Okpala
Thunder general manager Sam Presti has been busy in Oklahoma City over the last several years and while the era of Durant, Harden and Westbrook is in the past, the future is looking very bright for this franchise. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Josh Giddey and others represent the future of this organization and so do the 35 draft picks that Presti has acquired through the years.
Oklahoma City has so much draft capital that they could field two entirely new expansion teams through the 2028 NBA Draft! Right now, the Thunder are just looking for ways to either add versatile, young talents or draft picks to continue building for the future, which is why giving up a low-value second-round pick and Kenrich Williams for KZ Okpala could be something that interests them.
Miami drafted Okpala 32nd overall in 2019 and while he has not played much at the NBA level, the 6’8” forward has shown flashes of his full potential. In the G-League during the 2019-20 season, KZ Okpala averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.1 blocks and shot 36.8% from the floor.
This season Okpala has barely played for the Miami Heat, but he has recently stepped into the rotation with both Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler being hurt. Still showing flashes of being an impactful player defensively, the Thunder could have interest in someone like this.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Lakers-Thunder Trade Lands Kenrich Williams In L.A.
He is in the final year of his rookie contract and with the Thunder not having much talent on the wing or in their frontcourt, maybe he is someone that they can invest in as an all-around defensive stopper. The 76ers have found a lot of success on defense with Matisse Thybulle as a lengthy, athletic forward, so maybe Okpala could be this kind of player in Oklahoma City given opportunities to play.
As for Miami, KZ Okpala is not someone they are going to look to keep after this season, so they might as well trade him for someone that can contribute when his number is called. Kenrich Williams is a solid defender, a valuable three-point shooter and just an overall smart player.
The one thing that makes the Heat a real championship contender besides their talent and defensive effort is the fact that they are just an overall smart basketball team. Whether it is making the extra pass to a wide-open shooter or coming off who they are defending to take a charge, the Heat have one of the highest team IQs in the entire league.
Kenrich Williams is a very smart player both on and off-the-ball and he has demonstrated that in Oklahoma City through the years. This season, he is continuing to shoot well from deep, shooting 42.3% from three, and his 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio proves that he is a reliable facilitator.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Lakers-Thunder Trade Lands Kenrich Williams In L.A.
Adding another smart player to their roster, especially on the wing, gives the Heat even more depth than they already have. Williams is not the difference in them winning a championship, but he can produce when his number is called.
Instead of having a young talent like KZ Okpala that the Heat will use here and there, they could have an experienced player in Kenrich Williams that can play every single night for them and contribute meaningful minutes.
