The Miami Heat are looking to gain something huge this summer, and if their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo produces what they want, it'll be the biggest blockbuster move of the offseason. But there are also losses, and the Heat are in danger of one.
The Heat have three free agents this summer: Keshad Johnson (RFA), Simone Fontecchio (UFA), and Norman Powell (UFA). While not a free agent, Andrew Wiggins has a player option for his final year, which he is likely to opt into. The person of interest here is Powell, though, given his free agency status.
Losing Powell wouldn't be a franchise-altering loss if he chose to leave Miami, but it would be significant if the Heat didn't try to resign the All-Star guard. According to a recent Bleacher Report list, Powell is predicted to match the first possibility, and considering how much they relied on Powell last year, they should strongly consider a future partnership.
Norman Powell is named one of the top free agents
The good news, if we set this list aside for a moment, is that Powell has strongly hinted he wants to return to the Heat, based on some pointed comments he made in the last two weeks. Bleacher Report predicts Powell will leave and names the Los Angeles Clippers as a possible destination.Â
Signing with the Clippers would bring Powell back to the team he played for four years before landing in Miami. A reunion with the Clippers makes sense, and his production during his time in LA was excellent, especially his final season when he helped lead the Clippers during Kawhi Leonard's absence. For much of that season, he was their top scorer.
That role didn't change when Powell came over to the Heat, because he spent the first half of this season as the Heat's best player, and despite a drop-off due to injuries after the All-Star break, Powell still led the team in scoring for the year.Â
Powell in Miami worked; whether as a starter or coming off the bench, he's going to give you 20 points a night. If the Heat want to keep a consistent offense, resigning Powell has to be considered. He averaged 21.7 points and shot 38% from three for the Heat this season.Â
All that being said, Powell will nevertheless be a highly sought-after free agent, joining the likes of LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Coby White, and Anfernee Simmons on Bleacher Report's list. If the Heat don't retain Powell, another team will reap the benefits.Â
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