Now that the Miami Heat's season is over, looking back on Norman Powell's year feels more like a roller coaster ride than a picture of consistency and stability. In hindsight, that's not overly positive.
How Powell finished the season is not how he began it, or carried him in the middle, and in those two instances, the Heat actually have a lot to thank Powell for. That said, considering Powell was playing on a one-year deal only, whether he'll be back in Miami is uncertain.
The Heat have a lot of changes to make during this offseason and some decisions to make regarding their own players, never mind a couple of superstars who will be lurking in the summer market who are expected to leave their current teams. As for Powell, he's one of the players Miami has to decide on. The question is: did he do enough to persuade the Heat to offer him another deal?
Norman Powell's injuries shouldn't be the reason the Heat don't offer up an extension
Maybe the more important question is: Does Powell see himself returning? The 11-year NBA veteran seems to have changed his tune regarding his desire to remain with the Heat. Earlier in the season, Powell stated he wanted to be back with the Heat next season; at the time, he was leading the Heat in scoring and serving as their best player.
Just days ago, however, Powell's outlook on his future sounded different during his exit interview. Now, it sounds like he's not entirely sure, which contrasts sharply with months ago.
“I’m not sure yet,” Powell said. “I’m going to talk to my agent. I know my agent’s going to talk to [Heat president Pat Riley] and the front office and figure those things out. I’ll connect with my agent sometime next week and figure out how those conversations went. And then we’ll start the game plan (for free agency) from there.”
Powell's change of tune may be tied to how the season ended for him personally, or to the Heat and the franchise's trajectory. Powell's final stretch of the season wasn't the best, and quite different from the earlier and middle days of the year, when he was Miami's main guy on the floor while Bam Adebayo struggled and Tyler Herro was injured.
Powell played a significant role in keeping the Heat in games, winning the ones they did, and keeping the team above water when they could have likely ended the season outside the play-in tournament altogether.
Powell was one of Miami's top leaders, while also leading the team in points per game all season. Looking at his statistics overall, Powell averaged 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, while shooting 47% from the field and 38% from three. However, the bulk of those numbers came in the first three quarters of the season. In the final quarter, Powell struggled.
In fact, Powell's struggles began after the All-Star break, and he then suffered injuries that kept him out of the lineup when the Heat needed him most as they fought to secure a playoff spot down the stretch, trying desperately to avoid the play-in.
In spite of his late-season fall off, if you look at the big picture, Powell was generally good for the Heat, if not solid. He carried them for much of the season, and as a role player, that's not typically the responsibility asked of one. Powell, should he desire to return, should be given the opportunity. The Heat benefited from his production when it was good, and how he finished the year shouldn't be a complete detriment.
If Powell and the Heat can find common ground on an extension, that gives them a consistent offensive weapon next season, whether as a starter or coming off the bench. Miami needs scoring, and injuries shouldn't overshadow what Powell did well for the Heat this past season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google