[Official] Heat Trade KZ Okpala & Amendments to 2023 MIA 1st to Thunder for 2026 2nd

[Thabo Sefolosha]

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[eminence]

Well, I need to see the next move for Miami to grade it at all for them.

Seems good for OKC.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Heat kinda broke their own news here, and yes I am making a thread about this because changing this pick was the subject of much debate last year.

The deal is:

OKC out: 2023 MIA 1st (lotto prot through 2025, then unp), worst of 2026 DAL/OKC/PHI 2nds

MIA out: 2025 MIA 1st (lotto prot, then unp), KZ Okpala

I like this quite a bit for OKC. Miami can now trade two firsts if they want, when they could only do one previously. But the 2025 pick is likely a much better gamble than the 2023 one, and less years of protection.

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[durantbird]

Wow, I hope the Thunder still have enough picks after this loss

[Scoot McGroot]

Well, I need to see the next move for Miami to grade it at all for them.

Seems good for OKC.

Miami was looking to clear a roster spot to convert Martin to the active roster. Here, they turn that into a second (if it’s not wildly protected), and clear up their future picks in a way that makes it easier to make moves later. Makes sense as a now and later type deal.

[VCfor3]

I think we need to give proper credit to the Heat somehow being the ones to break the news on their own trade. Possibly the most impressive part of the entire deal (though freeing up the ability to move two 1sts is okay too).

[loserX]

Well, I need to see the next move for Miami to grade it at all for them.

Seems good for OKC.

Miami was looking to clear a roster spot to convert Martin to the active roster. Here, they turn that into a second (if it’s not wildly protected), and clear up their future picks in a way that makes it easier to make moves later. Makes sense as a now and later type deal.

additional speculation from Smitty:

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[Colbinii]

Heat landing Jerami Grant?

[Fencer reregistered]

My first guess when I saw this is that part of the motivation is the Heat giving OKC a gift in pick value in return for getting more Stepien rule flexibility for themselves.

Does guess match well with known facts?

[sonictecture]

So it didn’t cost just cash or a nebulous srp.

[K_chile22]

So it didn’t cost just cash or a nebulous srp.

It didn't cost anything, they got a 2rp and the Thunder got a higher upside pick. KZ is just included as a dead roster spot. Unless you mean from OKCs point of view? In which case it did cost a srp

[JMAC3]

Smart move for both teams.

[BBallFreak]

So it didn’t cost just cash or a nebulous srp.

It cost a player we wanted to move on from. We've been talking about dealing him for weeks so we could clear enough space under the luxury tax to sign Caleb Martin.

This is a win win for both teams. You'll like KZ. We just didn't have room for him...

[kingcong95]

My first guess when I saw this is that part of the motivation is the Heat giving OKC a gift in pick value in return for getting more Stepien rule flexibility for themselves.

Does guess match well with known facts?

The pick amendment may actually be beneficial to OKC. They have three other picks that could possibly convey in 2023 (DEN, DET, WSH) and wouldn't have minded pushing the Heat pick back, when it will have higher variance. This could explain why it cost a real 2nd and not top 55 protected.

Even if Miami doesn't use their 2022 or 2023 first in any trade, dumping Okpala helps them convert Caleb Martin to a regular contract. They are reportedly using their MLE to give him more than the prorated minimum.

[MartinToVaught]

I have a gut feeling that Miami's next move is trading their pick + other assets to the Clippers for Marcus Morris, which would be fine with me.

[loserX]

Like the old TTB saying goes, "trades work best when the other team values your guy* more than you do".

*also goes for draft picks sometimes! Pushing this pick back two years actually benefited both teams: Miami gets trade flexibility, and OKC increases the variance on their pick instead of having to settle for a fairly weak one this year.

[BBallFreak]

Like the old TTB saying goes, "trades work best when the other team values your guy* more than you do".

*also goes for draft picks sometimes! Pushing this pick back two years actually benefited both teams: Miami gets trade flexibility, and OKC increases the variance on their pick instead of having to settle for a fairly weak one this year.

Precisely.

And in spite of some people's thoughts around here, Miami didn't have to pay to make the pick better for OKC. They moved on from a player that they just didn't have room for, cleared a spot for Caleb Martin, got a second rounder, and gets the opportunity to include their first round pick in a trade.

Small deal but incredibly beneficial for all involved.

And don't discount Okpala. He's got talent. Long rangy defender who can shine if given the opportunity...

[HartfordWhalers]

Seems fully in line with past precedents. So much for that exorbitant leverage OKC had argument, right?

Oh, nvm I just read all the thread and everyone was right which is nice.

[ThatBoyNick]

OKC didn’t get an additional first for the pleasure? I’m shocked.

[Devilanche]

Seems fully in line with past precedents. So much for that exorbitant leverage OKC had argument, right?

Oh, nvm I just read all the thread and everyone was right which is nice.

We should have a thread on leverage soon .
We can use this and hopefully a harden/simmon trade to discuss on leverage on both ends of the trade value .


1) I’m surprised it wasn’t broken by one of the cap guys
2) ok for this for Miami . They have to like their odds so long as Riley is there.
3) ok for this for OKC . Second is probably late . And we have got to use cap space anyway so there’s probably a better chance 2025 pick is higher than 2023 . And we already doesn’t have a lot of roster spot for incoming picks mostly.
4) would be nice to see the full deal soon .