The Miami Heat have many unanswered questions, and the NBA's offseason is still several weeks away. Perhaps it isn't such a bad thing for the Heat to have a head start on grappling with those questions. Then again, it wouldn't be such a bad thing if they were playing in the playoffs right now.
While rumors, speculations, and hypotheticals circle the Heat regarding trades, free agent targets, and possible available superstars, the Heat's questions first begin within their roster; some of their own players, and furthermore, their impending free agents.
Andrew Wiggins might hit the free agent market, or he could opt into the final year of his contract. Wiggins might be a player the Heat would want back, unless they can use him as a trade piece. Norman Powell is set to become a free agent; however, what he said recently suggests he doesn't want to go anywhere.
Norman Powell hopes Pat Riley and the Miami Heat liked what he 'brought to the table' this season
Powell's one-year run with the Heat had a lot of good and a lot of; not necessarily bad, but stretches of "it could be better," especially after the All-Star break. Powell suffered injuries, though, and struggled to resemble the same player who kept the Heat above water during the first half of the season, with bouts of inconsistency and trouble staying on the floor.
Nevertheless, Powell still led the Heat in points per game (21.7), nabbed his first-ever All-Star selection, and was, for the better part of the season, Miami's best player, even though he's primarily a role player. When he wasn't in the lineup down the final stretch of the season, Miami sorely missed his offensive production.
If Powell were to leave in free agency, replacing a sure-fire 20-point nightly scorer would be tough. The good news is, Powell appears interested in returning to the Heat on a new deal, and recently tried to persuade whoever is listening to run it back.
“I love my first year in Miami," Powell said. "I’ve enjoyed the organization, my teammates — being a free agent, hopefully Pat Riley and the front office love what I was able to bring to the table and expects to have me in the future...yes, I would love to come back.”
If Riley is indeed listening, which he is, he has one player who wants to be a part of whatever roster iteration the Heat enter next season with, as long as he's in the fold. There is a bit of bad news to go with the good, however, and that's related to what the Heat will be able to afford this offseason.
Miami's cap situation will be extremely tight next season, being approximately $40.92 million under the first apron. That said, Powell falls under the Heat's bird rights, meaning they can go over the cap in order to re-sign him. So, if that's taken care of, what are the reasons Miami would deny Powell another run?
As the offseason plays out, Heat fans will find out one way or the other. Powell wants back in, and that should be good news for the franchise as they look ahead to how they want to construct their roster for next season, which is expected to feature a superstar. Either way, Powell will make a difference wherever he plays next year.
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