At the time of the acquisition, we viewed the Norman Powell three-team trade as a win for the Miami Heat, who only had to sacrifice Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love, two players who were viewed as fringe rotation players (at best).
Through 11 games, it’s paid dividends.
The Heat couldn’t have asked for a better start from Powell, who’s averaging 24.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 46.0 percent from the floor, 45.8 percent from 3-point range (6.0 3PA) and 93.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Yet, for reasons unrelated to Powell himself, the trade continues to look even better by the day.
The Heat look like clear winners in the Norman Powell trade:
Powell has been a consummate professional throughout his 11-year career. He’s seamlessly fit into the Heat’s fast-paced offensive scheme and has been the primary catalyst for the league’s 12th-best offense.
Powell missed some time with a groin injury, but he’s scored 20 points in six of his seven games, including his first 30-point outing Monday against Cleveland.
Both Anderson and Love have been non-factors in Utah, who’s tanking.
Meanwhile, John Collins, technically the only player Los Angeles acquired in the three-team deal, has been just OK. Though the Powell trade allowed the Clippers to swoop in and snag Bradley Beal, who will now undergo season-ending hip surgery after an underwhelming start.
Beal was averaging 8.2 points on 37.5 percent shooting and 36.8 percent from 3-point range. His impact left plenty of be desired on both ends.
There’s still plenty of basketball to be played, but the sum of the Clippers’ return is far below that of Powell’s last two seasons (individually). Led by James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, who’s experienced availability issues of own, Los Angeles has the oldest roster in the NBA without much light at the end of the tunnel.
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Steal of a year. Powell is an amazing player.
Beal was the guy Phoenix wanted to dump on Miami for the “quitter.” When they couldn’t trade him they bought out the balance of his contract (2 years for $110M ) for $96.1M.
The Clippers then made a deal to pick up Beal for a reduced rate ($11M for 2 years) with a player option for 2026-2027. In order to bring in Beal the Clippers decided to get rid of Norman Powell.
The Heat picked up Powell in a 3 way deal with the Clippers and the Jazz.
– The Clippers received John Collins from Utah.
– The Jazz received Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson plus a 2nd Rd round pick from the Clippers.
– Miami received Norman Powell.
Thus far, Miami is 7-4. Phoenix is 6-5. The Clippers are 3-7.
– Powell’s stats: 24.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.4 spg
– Beal’s stats: 8.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.5 spg
– Collins stats: 12.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.9 apg, 1.0 spg
Meanwhile, the Clippers are under investigation for setting up a back-door deal to pay Kawaii Leonard $25M for bogus/no show endorsements.
P.S. Wiggins’ stats are comparable to quitter’s for half the price.
beal out for the year.powells an alpha off the ct and on .thanks for the all star balmer
Boy did they screw up big time. They compounded their mistake by thinking Beal could replicate Powell’s productivity.