The Miami Heat’s trade for Norman Powell over the summer was almost too good to be true, and through the first few weeks of the season, it somehow looks even better. They gave up Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love, two non-rotation players, for Powell, who is off to quite the start in Miami.
Powell is averaging 23.3 points (he averaged a career-high 21.8 points in 60 games last season), 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 46.7% from the field and 46.2% from three. He’s started in all seven games played, missing three contests with a groin injury.
He fits in exceptionally well within the Heat’s free-flowing, fast-paced offense that results in more scoring opportunities for himself. It’s different than what Powell was used to when he was with the Clippers. He’s thriving.
The Clippers wish that they could say the same. They didn’t land Bradley Beal in the trade for Powell, but LA traded Powell, knowing that Beal would fill the starting shooting guard spot. Beal is averaging 8.2 points per game on 37.5% shooting from the field and 36.8% shooting from deep. He’s played in one fewer game than Powell, but Powell has scored 114 more points than Beal.
Los Angeles really looks like it could use Norm, but hey, it’s a good thing he’s in Miami!
Norman Powell is off to a hot start with the Heat
The only “bad” thing about the Powell trade is that he’s in the final season of his current contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Still, the Heat didn’t give up much for a player who could turn out to be a one-year rental. Miami doesn’t want Powell to be a one-year rental, though.
He’s eligible to sign a three-year, $77.4 million extension right now. On Jan. 7, six months after the trade, Powell will be eligible to sign a four-year, $128.5 million extension, the same extension he was eligible to sign with the Clippers. He has already said on multiple occasions that he loves being in Miami. Why wouldn’t he?
Powell’s numbers should start to cool off a little as the season wears on, but if he keeps playing like he is, and the Heat stay toward the top of the conference, Miami’s priority should be to keep him in town, if there was any doubt that shouldn’t happen.
A player performing at a high level during a contract year isn’t a bad problem to have. The problem is when you trade him to avoid paying him, thinking that his replacement will be better. Just ask the Clippers.
