On Monday morning, the Miami Heat were involved in a major three-team trade — a surprising move for a franchise that had been relatively quiet this offseason. After finishing last season on a disappointing note, the Heat were widely expected to be active in the market. Now, they’ve made a splash, reportedly acquiring veteran scorer Norman Powell to join Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro in what could be a retooled core for the 2025–26 NBA campaign.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the trade involves the Clippers, Jazz, and Heat. “The Clippers, Jazz and Heat have agreed to a trade that sends Norman Powell to Miami, John Collins to Los Angeles, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick to the Jazz,” Charania reported.
Norman Powell arrives in Miami to help address the offensive shortcomings the Heat experienced last season. While Tyler Herro carried much of the scoring load, the team lacked a consistent second option. Andrew Wiggins filled his role defensively but struggled with inconsistency on the offensive end, leaving Miami without a reliable secondary threat.
Powell joins the Heat from the Los Angeles Clippers after averaging an impressive 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. His scoring efficiency and veteran presence should provide an immediate boost to Miami’s rotation—and potentially elevate them back into NBA Eastern Conference contender status.
Projected Heat starting five with Norman Powell
Powell is a great player who perfectly fits the Heat culture. Pairing Powell with Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and the rest of their young core could be a recipe for success.
Here’s the projected starting lineup Spoelstra will have at his disposal for the 2025–26 season:
- Point guard: Tyler Herro
- Shooting guard: Norman Powell
- Small forward: Andrew Wiggins
- Power forward: Bam Adebayo
- Center: Kel’el Ware
In Miami, Powell projects as a key complementary piece on the wing, offering support to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo while slotting in as a potential third scoring option. Given his efficient offensive production and scoring versatility, there’s also a realistic path for Powell to emerge as Miami’s second option if he continues producing at a high level.
With this move, the Heat take a clear step toward reshaping their roster and addressing their offensive inconsistencies. It will be fascinating to see how Powell fits into Erik Spoelstra’s system and what kind of impact he can have alongside Miami’s core.