On multiple occasions, guard Norman Powell has shown interest in staying with the Miami Heat. While his future remains uncertain, that interest appears to be mutual, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
“The Heat have interest in bringing him back,” Fischer said recently on Bleacher Report. “What’s going to happen with the number? I think a Norman Powell deal will be on the back burner in the sequence of Miami going after Giannis first.”
The Heat acquired Powell, 32, for Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love last summer. The deal was largely viewed as a win for the Heat at the time — and Powell ended up proving them correct.
He had an excellent start to the season, which included getting named to his first career All-Star game. He fit seamlessly as a scorer in the Heat’s new look offense, averaging 25.0 points on 50.9/45.8/88.3 shooting splits in his first 17 games.
Though injuries began to derail Powell’s season, tallying just 17.5 points post-All-Star break, albeit across just 13 games. His impact outside of his scoring was essentially nonexistent, as was his explosiveness relative to the start of the season, likely attributed to the groin injury he battled through for weeks.
The Heat can still re-sign Powell for any amount up to the max, since they still have his full bird rights, until the start of the new league year in late June. But if they don’t, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.
Obviously, they’re not going to sign him to the max. He made roughly $20 million in 2025-26, and if he were to return, he’d likely be in line for a similar amount, as he’s pushing his mid-30’s.
I’ve already made the argument as to why I wouldn’t bring Powell back. But would you? Let us know in the comments!
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Philly did to Boston last night what I thought they might when Embiid came back. Embiid was pretty effective in his first game back. But, last night, he had his wind back more fully, and he was just dominant. Boston had no answers and things slowly got worse for them. It still may be that the Celtics prevail as Tatum and Brown can carry a team, but this series may not be over.
I take a real interest in this series as it is a test of some of my overall theories of team building and structure. No one series can ever be taken as dogma. But, looking around the league, when the playoffs, the real season gets going, some trends are ensuing along expected lines.
It seems they want to keep all the vets. But if Herro, Powell and Wiggins stay, who is gonna get traded for Giannis? Ok, I get it. We’ll run it back and hope Ware and Jovic and Kas will have a great off season and make us contenders. Sounds like a solid plan.
Sarcastic font is not available any more?
Great plan indeed.
Not really. I am assuming you’re being facetious. Now, bring back all the vets except for trading Herro, and get a big man for him. Keep Jovic on the bench, try to develop Kas and Ware further, draft wisely, and use the Rozier money to get another quality forward, and we may have a plan. It’s still a little shaky, but if we get very lucky with our picks, it has a chance. And, perhaps this whale hunting idea could change things too,. But, if we whale hunt, keep Bam, Norm, Andrew, and Kel’el, or don’t do it. That would work too.
Herro and Ware, picks, and additional matching salary
Would be a perfect fit on a team with Giannis as floor spacer and attacking closeouts. Not many in the league can say 38% from three on 7 attempts per game is a down shooting year like Powell. His last contract 5 years/$90m was a steal for Miami in the last year.
He’s an excellent player. Kind of a low A, like Bam, when fully healthy. I have thought he is the best player we have in crunch time for all the last year. But,,keeping him necessitates harpooning the whale first, and thinking about the present and not the future.
Can’t keep Powell unless Herro is traded first.
I would take Powell over Herro. Unfortunately Heat can’t afford and can’t use both and Herro is the only one under contract. Signing Powell insures continued mediocrity.
I also don’t think signing Powell is in the best interest of the team. I think a sign and trade for a younger player and/or a pick would be best.
He should be in contender team. Heat is far away at the moment.
I agree. He deserves a shot at a ring. He isn’t getting any younger.
I agree. S&T is best option for all.