The Miami Heat may already be regretting their decision to keep Norman Powell on the roster beyond the NBA Trade Deadline. Because, with the way things are currently trending, it does seem as if the Heat may have missed their opportunity to cash in on their big gamble from last summer.
In the final year of his contract, it's beginning to feel as if Powell and the Heat may be slowly drifting apart.
Norman Powell doesn't want to come off the bench
Most recently, Powell gave voice to his frustrations with the decision by Erik Spoelstra to bring him off the bench. Even though Powell is a team player and wants to win first, it's natural to be turned off by the decision, especially after earning his first All-Star appearance this season.
“I feel like I’m a starter. I’ve worked to be in that role. But if the team feels that me coming off the bench some games or whatever it is based on a matchup is going to put us in position to win games, I’m going to accept the role and go out there and play basketball.”
This is not flat-out Powell showing displeasure with the Heat, but it could be the first step in that direction. And with the option to walk in free agency in a few months, this is a risky game that Miami may be playing with him.
The Heat could regret holding on to Powell
If that is indeed the case, the Heat could be on the verge of losing Powell for nothing during the offseason. And if that were to happen, the Heat would truly regret their decision to hold on to him beyond the trade deadline.
Even if the Heat could only get a pair of second-round picks, that would be a much better alternative than possibly losing him for nothing this summer.
Is there still a chance that the Heat's front office is holding out hope that they can re-sign Powell this offseason? Sure, especially with the uncertainty revolving around Tyler Herro's future. However, it's far from a simple decision.
Not even just because of his ever-changing role on the team. Since returning from injury, Powell has not been the same player he was during the first half of the season. In his three games back, he's struggled with his overall efficiency, shooting just 21 percent from 3-point range.
He's also nursing another calf injury and is listed as questionable heading into a huge matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Miami may never fully admit it, but there has to at least be some regret in their decision not to explore Powell's trade value more at the deadline. Because there's at least a small chance that this entire situation blows up in their face this summer.