The Miami Heat will attempt to perfect the art of an offseason balancing act with Norman Powell this summer. However, there's at least a small chance that they will end up getting burned by Powell at their own game.
Miami must try to balance Powell's free agency while also attempting to strike a deal for a star player via trade. It won't be easy, and they'll be up against the ticking clock of Powell's free agency market, but the hope is that the Heat could land on a trade for a star player while keeping Powell in the fold.
Especially in the event that they must include Tyler Herro in a proposed trade for a star player.
The Heat will be playing a huge game of risk with Norman Powell
This is a risky game that the Heat will almost certainly attempt to play because, at any given moment, Powell could take control of the situation and choose to sign with another team, not giving Miami the opportunity to match an offer.
In a perfect world, the Heat would land a star player via trade (likely with Herro involved in the deal). At that point, they'd love to bring Powell back at a reasonable number. But, again, that will be easier said than done, especially as Powell will be looking for the best possible deal for himself this summer.
And there's a chance that may not include the Heat. The question is, which side will end up blinking first?
Especially initially, I'd expect some sort of understanding between both sides. I'd expect that it may behoove both the Heat and Powell to want to work together at least initially during the offseason, in which Powell gives the Heat time to figure out if they can make a move for a star player before coming together on a potential deal.
For that to happen, Powell would have to give the Heat assurances that he would be patient with his free-agency decision.
How Norman Powell could burn the Heat
However, at a certain point, something has to give. And if the Heat are still waiting around for a star player to become available or for a team to accept their deal, you can't help but wonder if Powell decides to deviate from the plan.
It's at that point that the Heat could end up burned by Powell.
Powell may not be able to wait around until the Heat are ready to ink a new free-agency deal. As is the case every year, the free-agency well dries up quickly, and if Powell waits around too long, he could be left without a dancing partner.
At this stage of his career, in which Powell could be in line for one last big payday before retirement, he may not be able to take that risk.
The Heat will be attempting a very difficult balancing act this offseason, with Powell likely at the center of it all. If they're successful, this could be a franchise-altering summer for Miami.
If they aren't, though, Powell spurning the Heat this offseason could just be the beginning of some bigger troubles ahead.
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