IN THE LANE GONE AGAIN:

The latest twist in the story ultimately again was a familiar twist. At the 2019 draft, the Heat saw such potential in the forward out of Stanford that they traded three second-round picks to the Indiana Pacers to secure his rights. Three years later, with a minimal payoff, the Heat dumped Okpala to the Oklahoma City Thunder as a means of clearing luxury-tax space to sign toa standard contract. Then, at the start of this season, Okpala was cast as a defensive stopper and rotation player for the emerging Sacramento Kings, having thrived under Kings coach when both worked in Nigeria’s Olympic program. From there, Okpala first lost his rotation role to emerging Kings rookie Keegan Murray and then was waived a week ago after being slowed by knee problems that had him sidelined. Somewhat remarkably, Okpala is only 23, out of the league at a point the Heat still owe 2025 and ‘26 second-round picks from his July 2019 acquisition.

EITHER/OR: In an ironic twist, with the Heat clearing luxury-tax space for the addition of Kevin Love by trading Dewayne Dedmon, Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers said during this past week’s visit to Miami-Dade Arena that Love had stood as one of his team’s buyout targets, with the 76ers instead signing Dedmon. Love had confirmed that the 76ers had been one of his finalists. “We tried to get him, too,” Rivers said.“I know it was us and Miami, probably one other team. He’s just a solid player. More importantly, if it hadn’t worked here, if he hadn’t played well, you still want him in the locker room.” As for Dedmon, who was unavailable for the 76ers’ two games this past week against the Heat due to knee soreness, Spoelstra said: “He’s a pro. We really enjoyed our time with Dewayne. He was really important for us when we first signed him and then last year when he was healthy. He just gave us great minutes that fit who we are. He’s tough, he’s physical. He has a great defensive voice. He can really communicate well.” Spoelstra added, “You can see why they signed him, it gives them another guy with a presence in the paint and size. But he’s an enjoyable guy. He’s a really funny guy behind the scenes. Most people don’t really get to see that side of him. But we did.”

TALE FROM ROAD: Even with his team’s Wednesday night victory in Miami, Rivers was not pleased with NBA scheduling that had his team playing on the road the following night for a 6:30 p.m. start against the Dallas Mavericks, calling the scheduling “absurd.” The 76ers are in the midst of a month of 12 of 15 on the road.“Everyone goes through this,” Rivers told The Philadelphia Inquirer.“It’s not just us.”

Meyers