Looking back, there's little argument to make that the trade for Norman Powell was the biggest move made by the Miami Heat this offseason. But it's hard to imagine how it would've all come to fruition without the sign-and-trade of Duncan Robinson, which gave Miami the room to make such a splash.
From a financial perspective, the little cap space that the Heat were able to make by moving Robinson to the Detroit Pistons (in exchange for Simone Fontecchio) opened the door for the Powell trade. While there weren't many fans of the Robinson sign-and-trade at the time, it's hard to be completely upset about it after the Powell transaction that followed shortly after.
It's hard to imagine that the Heat would've been able to afford giving Robinson a pay raise on a new multi-year contract while also swinging a deal for Powell, especially when you factor in the team's preference to remain a non-luxury tax team this season.
Can Norman Powell make fans forget about Duncan Robinson?
Of course, the ultimate verdict on the Heat's offseason will certainly depend on how this season unfolds. More specifically, the decision to move on from Robinson and then acquire Powell will be the biggest variable under a microscope this season.
I'm not sure there are many Heat fans who will be openly rooting against Robinson in Detroit, but there's no question they'd much rather see Powell thrive in a Heat uniform than see Robinson burn them in Pistons threads.
If Powell does excel in Miami, though, it will certainly help fans forget about what many would describe as a completely unnecessary divorce.
Optimistically speaking, Powell is set up to succeed in Miami. That's what Heat fans should find joy in. From a pure skill set standpoint, he fits what the Heat need, and almost perfectly.
He may not have the playmaking prowess that the Heat theoretically desire in their starting 5, but he might just end up being the team's third-best two-way player (behind Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins) right now. And, more than anything, that's exactly what the Heat need next to Tyler Herro on the wing.
In whatever role Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has lined up for Powell this season, there's reason to believe that he will be able to thrive. I'm not sure if he'll be as productive as he was last season with the LA Clippers, but there's a reason why he was considered one of the best pickups of the offseason.
And it is quite interesting that the Heat wouldn't have been able to make it happen without the trade of Robinson.