Tag: KZ Okpala

Grant Williams accidentally knocked over an opponent while complaining about a call to ref

This was so silly.

Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams wasn’t happy, and he wanted to make sure that the officials heard all about it.

The Kings were up by two points toward the end of the third quarter when Williams complained to Natalie Sago about an out-of-bounds call. Williams was running down the court as he made sure Sago heard exactly how he felt about the call.

Unfortunately, however, Williams toppled over Sacramento’s KZ Okpala in the process. Okpala, too, then had to complain to Sago about why Williams was not called for a flagrant on this possession.

Knocking over Okpala was clearly not what Williams intended to do, but it was a silly series of events nonetheless.

Williams needs to be a lot more careful next time he is complaining to the officials or someone can get hurt.

Even though it was a close game in the third quarter, Boston was able to pull away with a decisive lead in the fourth.

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OKC Thunder news: Thunder waive KZ Okpala

KZ Okpala’s tenure with the Thunder comes to an end after two days.

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.

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OKC Thunder news: Thunder trade for KZ Okpala from Heat, adjust 2023 pick and release Mamadi Diakite

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat completed a trade that involved KZ Okpala, amended the 2023 Heat pick in exchange for 2025 top-14 protected or 2026 unprotected pick and released Mamadi Diakite

The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired KZ Okpala from the Miami Heat in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, according to Marc Stein.

In the official PR statement, the Thunder also announced that the team has amended the 2023 pick the Heat owed them and will not be owed in 2025 with top-14 protection and will then convey to a 2026 unprotected pick.

In a corresponding move, the Thunder also waived Mamadi Diakite, who was on his third — and final — 10-day contract with the team. Diakite averaged 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 13 games this season.

Okpala is in his third season in the NBA and 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 percent from three in 21 games.

Okpala was drafted 32nd overall in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft. Okpala is in the final year of his rookie contract and will enter the summer as an unrestricted free agent.

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Out-of-rotation players who could become trade candidates

Here are some NBA players getting healthy DNP-CDs who could have a potential role in a different team’s rotation.

We are more than three weeks into the NBA regular season and most teams have settled on their rotations. Some aren’t fully healthy and will have tinkering to do when key players return, but some others have some rotation players that are not playing.

Here are some players consistently getting DNP-CDs despite being healthy who could become candidates for a trade.

Out-of-rotation players who could become trade candidates

We are more than three weeks into the NBA regular season and most teams have settled on their rotations. Some aren’t fully healthy and will have tinkering to do when key players return, but some others have some rotation players that are not playing.

Here are some players consistently getting DNP-CDs despite being healthy who could become candidates for a trade.