The Miami Heat are coming off a rollercoaster season filled with inconsistency and frustration—issues their fanbase hopes are now in the rearview. As the franchise prepares to retool around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, there’s renewed optimism that better days lie ahead. One major reason for that optimism? Adebayo’s confidence in a key new addition heading into the upcoming NBA season.
Ever since the Heat acquired Norman Powell in a surprise offseason move, the reaction has been one of cautious excitement. The front office sought an offensive spark, and Powell could be exactly that. With the roster still in flux, Adebayo recently shared his perspective on the move and its impact on the team’s direction.
Powell is coming off a career-best season with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged 21.8 points per game while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and a remarkable 41.8 percent from beyond the arc. In comments to The Miami Herald, Adebayo described the move as a “very good shake-up” for the Heat. “It’s a very good shake-up for our team, and now there’s a different dynamic to it,” he said.
Adebayo has taken on a growing leadership role in Miami, and he was among the first to hint at roster changes after the team was swept out of the NBA playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Powell acquisition validated those expectations. Adebayo didn’t hide his enthusiasm, calling Powell an “All-Star caliber player.”
Norman Powell #24 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots a three point basket during the 2025 Starry 3-Point Contest.
“I feel like Norman is one of those guys that floats under the radar,” Adebayo added. “But as you saw this year, he’s really shown that he can be an All-Star caliber player. You’ve seen what he’s done, and you’ve seen him grow in this league. And, obviously, he wants to take the next challenge. Obviously, the next challenge is being with the Miami Heat. So I’m happy to have him.”
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The Heat are looking for more than just offensive firepower—they need resilience and identity. Adebayo sees Powell as someone who embodies both, and that belief could carry weight in the locker room as the team embraces a new direction.
Miami is eager to rebound after a disappointing 37-45 finish last season, which landed the Heat 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite their struggles, the Heat fought their way through the play-in tournament to clinch a postseason berth.
With Powell joining a core of Adebayo, Herro, and emerging contributors like Jaime Jaquez Jr., the Heat may finally be ready to turn the corner. If chemistry clicks and health holds, Miami could become one of the East’s more dangerous wildcards.
