The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Friday that they have released KZ Okpala. Okpala was acquired on Wednesday in a trade with the Miami Heat in a trade that also amended the 2023 first-round pick the Heat owed to the Thunder and turned it into a 2025 top-14 protected first-round pick that would convert into a 2026 unprotected first-round pick. The Heat received a 2026 second-round pick in exchange.
Okpala is in his third season in the NBA. He has averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 63 career games. This season, Okpala has averaged 3.7 points and two rebounds while shooting 34.6% from 3 in 21 games. Okpala was drafted 32nd in the 2019 NBA draft.