Now that the Miami Heat have had time to process everything that transpired this season, it's become abundantly clear that they can't bring back Norman Powell. Even less so if Tyler Herro is back.
The Powell-Herro dynamic was a huge bust for the Heat, and they now have the stats that will undoubtedly feed them that much-needed realization before a huge free-agency decision on the All-Star guard.
As pointed out by Heat reporter Barry Jackson, Herro and Powell were two of the worst defensive guards in the league. Powell allowed 51.6 percent shooting to players he was guarding (seventh worst in the league). Herro wasn't much better, allowing 49.5 percent shooting to the players he was guarding.
Clearly, it was impossible for the Heat's defense, as good as it was at times this season, to overcome that deficiency. All in all, it's the biggest piece of evidence that cements the idea that Herro and Powell just don't work together.
And the Heat should probably do what they can to avoid another year of this odd-fitting backcourt.
Norman Powell was more Tyler Herro than the Heat thought
In many ways, this season, Powell and Herro were essentially the same player for the Heat. And I'm not sure Miami was expecting that heading into this experiment. Looking back, it's probably bad Miami didn't have this foresight, but all the Heat they could do now is avoid a future mistake.
They were so similar, especially on the defensive end of the floor, that it did significantly more harm than good for the Heat whenever they were on the floor. It's at the point that the Heat are quickly realizing that they need to move on from one, if not both, this summer.
And, honestly, this realization should make the Heat's free-agency decision on Powell that much simpler. While there were certainly some bright points in the season for Powell, he's certainly a player the team can live without. And one they might have to.
Perhaps most importantly, he shouldn't be a player that the Heat prioritizes this offseason.
Norman Powell should only be back on the Heat's terms
Thinking of how this summer may play out for the Heat, there's only one scenario in which the Heat could justify re-signing Powell. It's a move that the fan base should only be willing to digest if it comes hand in hand with a star acquisition.
But with the tricky timing of free agency, the star acquisition would have to happen pretty quickly into free agency (or perhaps even at the NBA Draft) for it to work out perfectly for both the Heat and Powell.
Powell likely won't be able to wait long before the majority of the free-agency money dries up, and that means both he and the Heat will need to act quickly.
It's hard to imagine that the Heat will have much clarity on the star front before they have to make a decision on Powell.
Because of that, it's pretty obvious what path the Heat needs to take on Powell. They need to let him walk. The experiment was a noble risk on the Heat's part, but it just didn't work out. And that's OK. It'd be foolish of them to double down after this realization.
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