The Miami Heat may have added the undeniably impressive services of Norman Powell on Monday morning, but this is far from the splash many believed Pat Riley and company were looking to make this summer.
According to a recent report by NBA insider Marc Stein, the organization has shown interest in adding three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to their arsenal, especially if he's bought out by his current employer, the Phoenix Suns.
Though this move by Miami adds the extra roster spot needed to pursue the 32-year-old, while still leaving ample room between them and the first apron, as a result of this three-team exchange, it seems that the Heat have inadvertently created a far more desirable landing spot for Beal this offseason.
Clippers far more attractive for Bradley Beal than Heat
Already, there was a case to suggest that LA was a more attractive destination for Beal than Miami. From their polar opposite playoff efforts this past season to their respective chances of vying for a title in the near future, the needle was clearly tilting in favor of the Clippers.
However, now with Powell heading to South Beach, yet another favorable factor has popped up for Los Angeles -- the primary tertiary scoring role has now opened next to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
Powell had himself a career-best campaign in 2024-25, as he broke out as easily the most efficient shooter within the Clippers' primary rotation, wrapping with stellar averages of 21.8 points per game while shooting 48.4 percent from the floor and 41.8 percent from distance.
The Heat desperately needed to add someone who could take the offensive scoring load off of the likes of All-Stars Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, for, when both were on the sideline last year, they plummeted to just 107.7 points per 100 possessions (14 percentile) and an effective field goal percentage of 51.3 (16 percentile).
It's why someone like Bradley Beal was presumably so coveted in the first place.
Without a doubt, Norman Powell has the ability to provide highly valuable tertiary scoring efforts out in Miami, and, with this in mind, fans should be excited about his arrival.
Of course, on the flip side, his presence on the roster and expected role within the rotation automatically make it less appealing for Beal to sign, especially when knowing a win-now club like the Clippers is simultaneously looking for someone with his exact skill set to play a pivotal role on the offensive end.