Norman Powell Flourishing in Miami, Eyes Long-Term Future with Heat
At the midway point of his first season in Miami, Norman Powell Jr. is doing more than just fitting in - he’s thriving. After joining the Heat this past summer in free agency, Powell has quickly become a centerpiece of Erik Spoelstra’s rotation and a key figure in the team’s post-Butler era.
And if you ask him, he’s exactly where he wants to be.
“This is definitely a place I want to be,” Powell said during All-Star Weekend. “It’s been nothing but great.”
That sentiment isn’t just lip service. Powell’s play has backed it up in a big way.
The veteran guard, now in his ninth NBA season, has made an immediate impact in Miami - so much so that he’s earned his first career All-Star selection. He’ll be suiting up as a reserve and will also compete in the 3-point contest, a nod to how well-rounded his offensive game has become.
But beyond the accolades, Powell has stepped into a starring role that few expected him to fill this quickly. With Jimmy Butler now in Golden State following last year’s trade deadline shake-up - and Tyler Herro battling through a string of injuries - Powell has emerged as the Heat’s most consistent and dynamic offensive weapon.
He’s averaging 23 points per game, along with 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals - numbers that not only mirror Butler’s past production but also reflect Powell’s ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. And perhaps most importantly, he’s doing it without the friction that sometimes accompanied Butler’s tenure in Miami.
The transition has been seamless. Powell’s game has meshed well with Spoelstra’s system, and he’s clearly earned the trust of the Heat brass, including team president Pat Riley. Miami didn’t make any moves at this month’s trade deadline - a sign that the front office is comfortable with Powell leading the charge.
Now, the next step is figuring out Powell’s future in South Beach.
He’s eligible for a four-year, $128 million extension - the same deal he was offered by the Clippers before making the move to Miami. And based on his comments, Powell sounds ready to commit.
“I love the setup,” he said. “I love the mentality.
I love the approach. Hopefully there’s some good synergy from what they’ve seen I bring to the table and hopefully a deal to be done sometime.
But yeah, I see myself being here and being a part of the Heat organization for as long as they’ll have me.”
It’s clear Powell isn’t just looking at Miami as a stopover. He’s buying into the Heat culture, embracing the grind, and producing at a level that’s turned heads around the league.
For a team that’s been searching for stability in the wake of Butler’s departure and Herro’s injury woes, Powell’s emergence couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s not just filling a void - he’s carving out a new identity for this Heat squad.
And if both sides can come to terms on that extension, it looks like Norman Powell could be a foundational piece in Miami for years to come.