Norman Powell’s All-Star Break Is a Full-Circle Moment - and He’s Hoping It’s Just the Beginning in Miami
Norman Powell’s NBA journey has been anything but linear, but this weekend, it’s come full circle in a way that feels poetic. After more than a decade in the league, Powell is finally an All-Star - and he’s doing it as a member of the Miami Heat.
It’s a milestone that’s been a long time coming. Powell entered the league back in 2015 and has carved out a reputation as a tough, efficient scorer who brings intensity on both ends of the floor.
Now, in his first season with the Heat, he’s not only leading the team in scoring - he’s also putting up career-best numbers in the process. Through 45 starts, Powell is averaging 23 points per game, along with 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
He’s shooting 47.4% from the field and knocking down nearly 40% of his threes (39.6%, to be exact), all while anchoring Miami’s offense with a steady hand and veteran poise.
But it’s not just the numbers that tell the story. It’s the fit - and Powell feels it too.
“Hopefully there’s some good synergy from what they’ve seen that I bring to the table,” Powell said this week. “And hopefully a deal is able to be done sometime. But yeah, I see myself being here and being a part of the Heat organization for however long they’ll have me.”
Powell is in the final year of the five-year, $90 million contract he originally signed with Portland. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and while his production will certainly attract interest from around the league, Powell made it clear: he wants to stay in Miami.
“This is definitely a place that I want to be,” he said. “It’s been nothing but great.
Coming here, getting adjusted - the organization has been amazing. I love where I’m at.
I love the setup. I love the mentality.
I love the approach.”
That mentality Powell refers to? It’s the Heat’s trademark culture - demanding, competitive, and built on accountability. And it’s a culture that seems to fit Powell like a glove.
“It has been, honestly, a super easy transition because I feel like everybody in the organization has the same mentality I have of pushing yourself to achieve the best and be the best version of yourself,” he added. “It’s been fun.”
The timing of Powell’s All-Star selection adds another layer to the story. He was snubbed last year despite averaging 21.8 points in 60 starts for the Clippers - a career-best mark at the time. And now, he’s making his All-Star debut in the brand-new Intuit Dome… the Clippers’ new home.
It’s one of those narrative twists that sports seem to serve up perfectly.
“I really thought that I’d be an All-Star last year with the team, and it didn’t happen,” Powell said. “Moves are made, and then the venue is actually where you just got traded from and you get selected to be one and go back there in front of the fans, in front of that organization. I think it’s just a nice little Easter egg to the story of my career.”
And Powell isn’t just showing up for the All-Star Game - he’ll also compete in the Three-Point Contest on Saturday night, another sign of how far his game has evolved. Once known primarily for his slashing ability, Powell has become a legitimate perimeter threat, and this season’s shooting numbers back that up.
There was one more twist this week: Powell was initially slated to play for Team USA Stripes in the All-Star showcase, but with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, Powell was moved to the World Team roster. It’s a quirky detail, but one that feels fitting for a player whose career has been defined by adaptability.
Powell has been traded multiple times, often undervalued in the process. But each stop has added a new layer to his game and his leadership. Now, in Miami, he’s not only thriving - he’s finally being recognized for it.
Where things go from here remains to be seen. Powell is extension-eligible, and the Heat will have to weigh their options this summer. But if Powell has his way, this All-Star weekend won’t be a farewell tour - it’ll be the start of something bigger in South Beach.
And based on what we’ve seen so far, there’s every reason to believe he’s just getting started.