Boston Celtics: an offseason trade target from each Southeast team

Miami Heat target: KZ Okpala

For those that do not know who KZ Okpala is, he is a rangy and athletic wing taken at #32 in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft. Originally drafted by the Phoneix Suns, he was part of the three-team deal that landed T.J. Warren with the Indiana Pacers.

That Pat Riley saw him as a player worth giving up three second-round picks to get speaks well to his potential. Okpala has spent much of the season in the G-League and so far the adjustment from the Pac-12 to professional ball has been difficult for the Stanford product, with shooting splits of 36/28/63.

Being that he is signed on for the next three seasons, perhaps a swap with Boston for Carsen Edwards can satisfy both teams and give each rookie a fresh start. Boston can use a cheap wing to bolster depth.

Charlotte Hornets target: Malik Monk

At this point acquiring Malik Monk would qualify as buying low mostly because of his off-court issues. He was recently reinstated after being suspended on a drug violation back in February. He had to go through a rehabilitation program to do so.

Monk’s game has steadily improved besides his 3-point shot. Once a 34 percent shooter in his rookie year, he is down to just 28 percent from beyond the arc. That could be a byproduct of the Hornets going from having Kemba Walker to Terry Rozier as the starting point guard.

Monk is eligible for a new deal next summer, but perhaps the C’s can buy-low and extend him on what could become a bargain deal. He was a lottery talent from the University of Kentucky just three years ago and his bench scoring could be welcomed to a sometimes lethargic Boston bench.