Norman Powell just showed why the Heat traded for him

The Miami Heat are known for dreaming big. It’s a quality they apparently share with the newly acquired Norman Powell, who wants to become an All-Star for the first time in his career this season.

During the Heat’s Media Day, the 32-year-old was asked about his reputation as a complementary player. He did not hold back in his answer, telling reporters that “I've been trying to break out of that mold of being a supporting cast player.” He also added that he’s hoping to build off his 2024-25 campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers, and make an All-Star team.

This should be a wild goal for someone entering Year 11. If it hasn’t happened by now, in either Los Angeles or with the Toronto Raptors, surely it’s not going to happen as a member of the Heat.

Right? 

Norman Powell has more to offer the Heat than just shooting

So much of Powell’s appeal is rooted in his ability to play off other ball-dominant players. That is part of why the trade for him was considered a heist, and why he’s painted as an ideal fit. 

Still, the veteran has previously shown that he’s capable of shouldering more than just three-point volume. Last year, Powell ranked in the 91st percentile of unassisted attempts at the rim per 75 possessions, and in the 97th percentile of self-created shot-making efficiency, according to BBall Index.

None of this, like Powell says, is necessarily predicated on playing alongside other stars. In the time he logged without both James Harden and Kawhi Leonard last season, he scored at a rate of over 29 points per 36 minutes, while downing 50.4 percent of twos and 42.9 percent of his threes.

This is not meant to imply the Heat should run the entire offense through Powell while Tyler Herro recovers from ankle surgery. Miami has Bam Adebayo to do more of the lifting as a playmaker, as well as Pelle Larsson, and Davion Mitchell. But Powell’s arrival provides the Heat another lifeline without their All-Star guard.

Don’t rule out an All-Star selection for Powell

The opportunity without Herro opens the door for Powell to earn his first February nomination. Though the 25-year-old should be back with plenty of time left in the season, Powell will have ample runway to showcase his on-ball value before he does.

After that, Miami’s new guard is the consummate player who can deliver high-octane numbers as someone who hovers between second- and third-option status. Go back no further than last season as proof. Powell cleared 20 points per game while burying over 50 percent of his twos, and more than 40 percent of his threes. Here’s the list of every other player who did the same: Kevin Durant, Darius Garland, Nikola Jokic, Zach LaVine, and Karl-Anthony Towns.

That level of production wasn’t able to get Powell an All-Star nod in the East. It will be a different story in an Eastern Conference where Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum are out for the year.

Miami, of course, doesn’t need Powell to earn his first-ever All-Star selection for his tenure to be a success. But the fact that he’s aiming for one crystallizes what we’ve known all along: In both mindset and play style, he’s the perfect fit for this team.