The NBA trade deadline is usually full of league-shattering deals. However, it is also filled with smaller moves that teams make around the margins of their roster. The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to such a trade.
The Heat, in a rare move, announced the trade themselves rather than allow it to leak to a reporter. They traded KZ Okpala to the Thunder in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick, which will be via Oklahoma City, the Dallas Mavericks or the Philadelphia 76ers. Miami will receive the pick from the team that finishes highest in the standings.
OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have acquired a 2026 second round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for KZ Okpala.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 9, 2022
Although this trade mays seem like nothing, as it involved a player who barely plays and a pick that is due in four years, it offers some interesting flexibility for Miami. The Heat owed the Thunder one of their first-round picks and had it protected for three years before it was guaranteed to convey. In this trade, they changed the terms of its protections so that they can use one of their next two first-round picks in a trade.
By amending the first round pick that was originally owed in 2023 to now 2025, the Heat have available their 2022 or 2023 first to use in a deal.
The first was originally top 14 protected in 23, 24, 25 and unprotected in 26. https://t.co/LzvoVT69j0
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 9, 2022
Miami now owes Oklahoma City a protected pick in 2025 and an unprotected pick in 2026, per the Heat's official press release.
As the Heat look to contend in the Eastern Conference, this is a significant move for them. The ability to offer a pick could allow them to make a significant addition to their roster. With Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry playing at a high-level and Tyler Herro having a legitimate All-Star case, Miami should be active as the trade market heats up.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, receives Okpala, who has not played since December due to a wrist injury. In 21 games this season, the 6-foot-8, 22-year-old forward averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds.
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