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KZ Okpala had a rough start to his career. He found a role last night.

The Miami Heat traded three second-round picks for KZ Okpala on Draft night in 2019. Up until Wednesday night, Okpala was largely a Heat developmental misfire. Last year, the Moe Harkless disaster (as well as the departures of Jae Crowder and Derrick Jones Jr.) gave Okpala opportunities. He didn’t show much when he got the chance.

Before this season, Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel pondered if the Heat would have to attach a second-round pick along with Okpala in a trade to simply get rid of his contract. And for most of this year, Okpala didn’t inspire confidence.