The national narrative is all doom and gloom for the Miami Heat. However, after the addition of Norman Powell, there should be a significant shift. The Heat may not just be a pest to play every night; they may have the right formula to pull off a first-round playoff series win in the Eastern Conference this season.
An "accomplishment" that not even the most loyal of Heat fans could've envisioned a year ago.
The Athletic's Sam Vecenie echoes what no one may want to hear right now about the Heat - that, quietly, Powell will give the Heat a good chance to potentially steal a first-round series in a weaker Eastern Conference.
Considering the recent narrative that has surrounded the Heat, especially after they missed out on Kevin Durant, this is not going to be a popular take. However, when taking a quick glance at the rest of the East, there is reason for optimism if you're a Heat fan.
Where the Heat ranks in the East
On paper, there are two teams that are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the conference - the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. After that, the rest of the East is pretty much a convoluted crapshoot.
There are certainly other talented teams in the conference, but they're either unproven or have other serious questions.
The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers will be without their best player for the entire 2025-26 NBA season. The Milwaukee Bucks, aside from Giannis Antetokounmpo, have huge questions even after the addition of Myles Turner. The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic are still very unproven as young teams, despite their talented rosters. And who knows if the Philadelphia 76ers will be able to remain healthy enough to make a difference.
And then there's the Heat.
Would it be that outrageous if Miami found a way to finish as a top 5 seed in the conference? After making one of the most underrated additions during the summer, I don't think it would be that surprising.
That's basically what Vecenie was saying. And there is merit to this.
Norman Powell transforms the Heat's possibilities
I don't think many understand how much the presence of Powell on this roster will elevate this team's ceiling. Powell not only solidifies the Heat's bench but gives them a legit third option after Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. The Heat didn't have that last season, much less after all the Jimmy Butler stuff went down.
And if what he did last year with the LA Clippers and what he's doing so far for Team Jamaica is any indication, he could be in for another big season with the Heat.
Miami is going to enter the season with one of the deepest rosters in the East. And the addition of Powell is a huge reason why. While they may not have the high-level star talent as some of the other East teams, they're going to make up for it with their depth.
If the Heat can remain healthy and if even a couple of their young players take a small step forward in their development, they could make some noise in the East. I don't think we're talking about a legit championship contender here, but it'd be foolish to quickly discount them without seeing them hit the floor first.