(Photo via Imagn Images)
Former LA Clippers key guard Norman Powell’s trade departure to join the Miami Heat was made official in recent days. And the talented scoring piece wasn’t shy of sharing excitement and optimism on landing with his newest destination.
Many of the national media believe that Powell’s addition can elevate the Heat to a top-five seed. This is especially possible in an Eastern Conference that looks the weakest it has ever been next season.
With injuries and uncertainty surrounding several rival teams, the East is expected to be wide open.
The Heat have an opportunity to build another well coached, underdog squad capable of making noise next season. Powell was the talent upgrade that Miami has desperately needed. Furthermore, he seems ready to get things started in South Beach.
Here are the biggest quotes from Powell’s first Heat media session below, courtesy of the Miami Heat’s YouTube:
“Hearing it was Miami, I was really excited. I’ve had a couple guys I’ve played with who played for the organization and said amazing things about the city, the fans, the organization. Thinking back to my childhood, being a big fan of Dwyane Wade. Watching for the Heat. Wanting to play for the Heat… was a childhood dream. Definitely was a full circle moment for me.”
“I’m extremely hard working. Going to Miami— I fit the culture perfectly… I’ve hung my hat on making my weaknesses my strengths and my strengths even better…”
“I like what (the Heat) are building, I like the culture, and they compete every single night no matter who’s healthy, who’s in and out the lineup…they’re scrappy, they’re gritty, they’re confident and very competitive.”
When asked if he had spoken to Pat Riley and Spoelstra upon his Heat arrival, Powell mentioned they iterated he has been a target of theirs in the past.
“They’ve mentioned how they wanted to get me and have tried to get me for several years now. It’s always good to have that initial energy and excitement when you’re traded to a new team.”
Norman Powell added his thoughts on playing alongside a Bam Adebayo-Tyler Herro duo on the court.
“Bam can play multiple positions, can attack multitude of ways, can switch and defend multiple positions… with my attacking ability, just opening up lob threats with me and Bam in the pick-and-roll.”
“I want to make it easy for Tyler. He was the focal point last year, had a lot of attention on him… I think it will be really good.”
Miami will be the fourth team of Powell’s 10-year NBA career, following stints with the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, and Clippers, respectively. He is looking for his steady development to continue. Powell aims to take the next steps following a career year in Los Angeles.
Integrating Powell into Spoelstra’s system will be a welcome addition. It is encouraging to see him quickly buy into what the Heat are trying to do. Also, he understands what they are about.
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will finally receive that coveted offensive reinforcement. They are also banking on more internal growth across the roster heading into this new campaign.
You can check out the full Powell interview below!
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Now that Miami has Powell on board and he seems to want to stay (and sign a 3 or 4 year extension) it seems like the perfect time to trade Herro and make some other moves. If the Heat keep Herro, they will likely need to pay more than they want (3 years/$150M). This is based on the extension OKC just agreed to give Holmgren (5 years/$250M). In addition, Wiggins can opt out next year, leaving Miami without a proven SF. Finally, the Heat has still not resolved it’s back-up PF/C position that is needed to rotate with Ware and Bam.
All things considered, here’s a multi-team trade that resolves several issues that may be worth considering.
New Orleans receives: Herro, Wiggins, Fontecchio, 1st round pick (from Miami)
Sacramento receives: Rozier, Jaquez, 2nd round pick (from Miami)
Utah receives: Larsson, 2nd round pick (from Miami)
Miami receives: Murray/Williamson (N.O.), DeRozan/Daric (Sacto), Filipowski (Utah)
Rotation:
Murray, Powell, Williamson, Bam, Ware
Mitchell, DeRozan, Jovic, Johnson, Filipowski
Smith*, Jakucionis, Daric**, Highsmith ***, Goldin
Current contracts for incoming players:
Footnotes/Options:
* Replace Smith with Lillard (if he decides to sign with Miami).
** Waive and stretch Daric over 3 years @$1.8M per
*** Trade Highsmith for 2nd round pick or waive & stretch over 3 years @ $1.87M per
I really enjoy your trade proposals. This one seems a little too wonderful for our side, but it is nice to dream. Maybe someone someday will get Xion, wish it was us.
I do agree with much of your first paragraph pertaining to the Herro contract and the need for someone in the PF/C position. Maybe Jovic can help there, but if he’s going to he needs to bulk up.
Thanks 30. I saw this article about the Herro situation in allucanheat this morning. The comment made a lot of sense to me.
NBA scribe says quiet part out loud about the Heat’s ceiling with Tyler HerroThe Heat may have already seen the best of Tyler Herro.
“I believe the Heat is going to try to extend Herro to a discounted extension. Maybe in the range of $30-40 million per year. If Herro declines it, which I assume will happen, that’s when it truly gets interesting.
At that point, nothing is off the table for Herro and the Heat. But if Herro did play to his ceiling this past season, how can the Heat pay him like a max player? Not only would it not compute to championship-level basketball, but it would greatly handicap a franchise by playing a fringe-star player like a superstar. And the quickest way to NBA mediocrity in today’s game is doing just that.”
I’m sure there are trades to be had out there. It just comes down to finding the right one and pulling the trigger. I would still like to see Miami trade for DeRozan and a rotation caliber PF/C.