Portland Trail Blazers 2019 NBA Draft Profile: KZ Okpala

The Portland Trail Blazers may turn to the NBA Draft to find their replacement at forward. None may be a better target than tantalizing prospect KZ Okpala.

In the search for a high upside player with a late first-round pick, the Portland Trail Blazers may turn their attention to one of the most polarizing prospects in the NBA Draft. Let’s take an in-depth look at Stanford sophomore KZ Okpala.

KZ Okpala Physical Profile

Position: Small Forward
Age: 20
Height: 6’9.5”
Weight: 210 lbs
Wingspan: 7’1.75″

2018-19 Season Statistics

MPG: 32.7
PTS: 16.8
REB: 5.7
AST: 2.0
STL: 1.0
FG%: 46.3%
3P%: 36.8%
FT%: 67.1%

Season Synopsis

The Stanford Cardinal’s 15-16 record and eighth place finish in the PAC-12 was nothing to write home about. However, Okpala’s performance was the silver lining in an otherwise uneventful season. With a weak supporting cast, KZ was not quite capable of elevating Stanford to the success he would have liked. Despite this, NBA scouts quickly sniffed out his natural talent and intangibles that could make for a great NBA player.

In conference play, Okpala only improved. He rose to the occasion and averaged more points and assists per game against much stiffer competition. Okpala’s season highlight was his 30 point, 8 rebound performance where he played all 40 minutes in a narrow victory against California.

Draft Combine Results

• Lane Agility: 10.88 (seventh fastest*)
• Shuttle Run: 3.13
• Three Quarter Sprint: 3.38
• Standing Vertical Leap: 30.5
• Max Vertical Leap: 37.0 (eighth highest*)
• Max Bench Press Reps: 9

*among 27 forwards tested at the combine

Strengths

Make no mistake, Okpala isn’t the type of player to hide in the corner and wait for a pass – he’s a legitimate shot creator. With a smooth handle on the ball and enough aggressiveness to match, Okpala excels at collapsing opposing defenses with his versatile attack on the rim. When he drives, Okpala doesn’t bulldoze his way to the hoop. Instead he maneuvers with a deceptive grace, catching defenders by surprise with slick body control and soft touch.

Okpala also projects as at least an average defender in the NBA, with the potential to be great. His wingspan comes just short of 7-foot-2, giving him enough room to contain the NBA’s elite athletes. Before Okpala was ever an offensive threat, he earned his keep by playing tough defense. In his two years at Stanford, Okpala recorded a 1.9 Defensive Box Plus/Minus (opposed to his -0.3 Offensive BPM).

Weaknesses

Many scouts and analytics departments are going to see Okpala’s projected 33.6 percent three-point in the NBA and immediately be turned off. His career 67.4 percent free throw shooting will only reaffirm their suspicions. That would be a big mistake. Although Okpala’s still no sharpshooter, he improved upon his 22.6 percent shooting from deep as a freshman to a 36.8 percent mark as a sophomore.

Just like baseball, sometimes all it takes is a big league hitting coach to tweak your form to start seeing major results. Okpala could similarly benefit from having access to an NBA shooting coach to give a bit of consistency to KZ’s wild shooting form.

Fit With Roster

The Blazers’ search for an offensively adept small forward is no secret. With elite forwards that can shoot and play defense the hardest resource to come by in the league, Portland would be wise to make the most of an NBA Draft rich with talented players at the wing.

Another genuine shot creator next to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum would help diversify the offense and open up more shot opportunities for everyone. Unlike most players still on the board this late in the draft, Okpala presents enough star potential to be a vital third wheel next to Portland’s superstar duo.

Instead of shelling out big bucks in free agency or giving up assets via trade, the Portland Trail Blazers could patch a big hole by drafting KZ Okpala later in this month’s NBA Draft.