The Miami Heat have really not gotten the proper credit for making multiple genius moves during this offseason. Undoubtedly the best was pulling off the trade for Norman Powell, who I believe fans will soon see is a perfect fit for this Heat team in Erik Spoelstra's system.
Everything about Powell’s game seems tailor-made for what Miami needed, especially in the wake of Duncan Robinson’s departure. Last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Powell quietly shot 44% on catch-and-shoot attempts. He was just as impressive operating off handoffs, converting 43% of those looks as well.
Those numbers are not just impressive in a vacuum, they mirror the type of actions Spoelstra has relied on for years. With Robinson now gone, the Heat had a gap in their movement shooting department, and Powell brings a very real solution. He is already comfortable flying off screens, reading defenders, and pulling up with precision.
Powell's offensive approach should elevate the Heat's ceiling
Unlike Robinson, though, Powell adds an extra layer of scoring versatility. He's not just a shooter, and he can put the ball on the deck, finish through contact, and create his own shot in tight moments. That versatility makes him a seamless fit next to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.
Miami’s offense often lives in those nuanced actions. Handoffs, screen re-screens, dribble hand-offs and dribble pitches, and Powell has enough polish and power to execute them while also keeping defenses honest when plays break down.
This also feels like the kind of addition that can extend Spoelstra’s playbook. The Heat do not have to drastically change their identity. Instead, they can double down on what has worked in the past, while giving themselves a player who can thrive in those spots and still offer more. There is a reason Powell was such an efficient scorer in Los Angeles. He does not need high usage to make an impact. He is smart with his touches and understands spacing, which will be vital for this roster.
In a conference full of question marks, this kind of fit could be the difference between a play-in push and a legitimate playoff run. Powell is exactly the type of high-level role player that tends to thrive in Spo’s system. He's tough, efficient, and plays with purpose. For what Miami needed, and especially considering the price it cost to get him, there may not have been a better move the Heat could have made.