With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 5, the Detroit Pistons are in a rare and enviable position: they’re winning, they’re healthy, and they’ve got options.
At 34-11 and sitting atop the Eastern Conference, Detroit isn’t exactly desperate for reinforcements. This is a team that’s found its rhythm early and often, dominating the paint and leaning into a physical, aggressive identity that’s brought them consistent success through the first half of the season. But just because they don’t need to make a move doesn’t mean they shouldn’t-especially if the right piece is out there to complement what’s already working.
That’s where Miami Heat guard Norm Powell enters the conversation.
Powell, now in his 11th NBA season, brings a veteran presence and a skill set that could immediately address one of the few areas where the Pistons could use a boost: three-point shooting. He’s hitting 39.3% from deep this season, and he’s doing it as a motion shooter who doesn’t require the ball in his hands to be effective. At 6'4", 215 pounds, Powell is built for the modern NBA wing role-strong enough to hold his own defensively, quick enough to get his shot off in tight windows, and smart enough to operate within a team concept.
Offensively, he’s averaging 23.1 points per game, and that number isn’t inflated by high usage or ball dominance. Powell thrives off the ball, which makes him an ideal complement to Cade Cunningham’s downhill attack.
Right now, when Cunningham drives, defenses are collapsing hard, daring Detroit to beat them from the perimeter. Outside of Duncan Robinson-and to some extent Jaden Ivey-the Pistons don’t have another shooter who consistently pulls defenders out of the paint.
That’s a problem Powell could help solve on Day 1.
Imagine a lineup with both Robinson and Powell spacing the floor. Suddenly, those driving lanes for Cunningham open up.
The paint’s less crowded. The ball moves more freely.
And defenses are forced to make tough choices-close out on shooters or help at the rim. That kind of floor balance could elevate an already potent Detroit offense to another level.
Now, Powell isn’t going to wow anyone with his playmaking (2.7 assists per game) or rebounding (under four boards a night), but that’s not what the Pistons would be bringing him in to do. His value lies in his ability to stretch the floor, knock down shots under pressure, and defend with intensity. He’s a plug-and-play wing who fits the Pistons’ identity-tough, physical, and efficient.
From a financial standpoint, Powell is in the final year of a five-year deal. The Heat, currently sitting in 8th place in the East, may be looking to retool, especially if they believe Powell could walk in free agency this summer.
For Detroit, that opens a window of opportunity. They’ve got all their future first-round picks, a young core that’s already clicking, and the kind of roster flexibility that allows them to make a move without mortgaging the future.
This doesn’t need to be a blockbuster. It’s not about swinging for the fences. It’s about finding the right fit-a veteran shooter who can stretch defenses, hit big shots, and bring a level of playoff experience to a team that’s trending toward a deep postseason run.
Powell checks those boxes. He’s battle-tested, efficient, and ready to contribute. And for a Pistons team that’s already doing a lot right, adding a weapon like him could be the kind of smart, strategic move that pays off when the games really start to matter.