NBA Trade Verdict

Slight Heat Edge

Miami turned K.Z. Okpala and a first-round protection adjustment into the pick that became Jaime Jaquez Jr., producing a useful asset win despite the future cost.

February 9, 2022 Miami Heat / Oklahoma City Thunder Record confidence: High

Miami Heat Received

  • Draft Pick 2023 first-round pick (#18-Jaime Jaquez Jr.)
  • Draft Pick 2026 second-round pick (least favorable of Thunder, Mavericks, 76ers) (#60-Malique Lewis; later routed to Spurs in the 2023 Max Strus sign-and-trade)

Oklahoma City Thunder Received

  • Player K.Z. Okpala
  • Draft Pick first-round pick (lottery protected in 2025, unprotected in 2026) (2025 #15- Thomas Sorber )

Trade Analysis

Miami sent K.Z. Okpala to Oklahoma City, acquired the 2026 second-round pick that ultimately became No. 60 Malique Lewis, and reworked the protections on a first-round pick already owed to the Thunder. The revised structure allowed Miami to keep the 2023 first-round pick that became Jaime Jaquez Jr., who immediately developed into a rotation contributor and later became part of the 2026 Giannis Antetokounmpo package. Oklahoma City eventually received the future first, which became the No. 15 pick in 2025, so Miami paid a meaningful price rather than receiving free value. Jaquez’s production and downstream trade utility give the Heat a slight edge.