In-and-Out: Should Aaron Wiggins Take KZ Okpala's Roster Spot?

Okpala, age 22, also entered his career as a former second-round pick, being selected with the No. 32 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Ever since, the 6-foot-8 forward has bounced around the Miami Heat’s rotation – placing a career 63 games and 717 minutes. For reference, Tre Mann has played 792 minutes this season.

In his career, he has averaged 2.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists. This season, he’s clocked 3.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 21 games. Okpala last played on December 28, suffering a wrist injury.

Though the forward’s on-court experience has been minimal, the potential with the former Cardinal is evident. Under the build of a 6-foot-8 forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Okpala slots right into Daigneault’s archetype as a bouncy multi-positional defender.

Under minimal reps, Okpala contains many of the raw attributes traditionally desired with frontcourt cogs in Bricktown as his transition play is highly rooted with moving spins and hard gathers while his defensive play makes a threat for deflections. Additionally, he’s been a catch-and-shoot threat in minimal reps – finding the bottom on 36.0% of tries.

Realistically, Okpala finds himself in a similar category to that of forward Isaiah Roby as a talented multi-positional piece, who due to position-locked players – ousts himself out of the rotation. Despite this, the forward’s globs of potential, including a 16-point effort earlier this season make him an intriguing project. And, on a $1.7 million contract, it’s a low-expense venture.

Given Oklahoma City’s current structure, Aaron Wiggins is a far more formidable piece than KZ Okpala in the Thunder’s long-term plans. However, with no game restrictions and contract conversions available until the end of the regular season for two-way signees – keeping Wiggins’ contract upgrade on the backburner may be the best option.

Similar to Lu Dort’s four-year, $5.4 million contract upgrade during the postponement of the 2019-2020 season, holding out on Wiggins’ deal will both spare the Thunder's frugal salary while also allowing Okpala a platform to play his way into a second contract. Once Okpala is given a fair shot, waiving the forward or any other member on the roster for Wiggins is back in the cards.

It’s a tough break for Wiggins. But, the end goal should still be part of the blueprint. His contract upgrade shouldn’t be a matter of if – but when.

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