The Miami Heat and Norman Powell are inching closer to an offseason divorce that not many could've easily predicted just a couple of months ago.
But, as the Heat has gotten healthier over the last few weeks, it's quickly become apparent that Powell just doesn't fit on this roster anymore. Admittedly, it's a stark shift from the first half of the season when it seemed like a contract extension for Powell was somewhat of a foregone conclusion.
The downward trajectory of Norman Powell
Things have drastically changed for Powell since the NBA All-Star break. And not in a good way.
Since being named to his first All-Star team, Powell has only played in eight of 16 regular-season games and has been demoted to a sixth-man role in favor of Tyler Herro. He's also shooting sub-45 percent from the field overall and under 30 percent from distance during the month of March.
Perhaps most importantly, the honest truth is that Powell just doesn't fit with Herro. When both are on the floor, the Heat have a -4.0 net rating. It's kind of a big problem when two of your three best players don't fit together.
Naturally, that will ultimately lead to the Heat almost being forced to part ways with one of them.
The Heat will not choose Norman Powell over Tyler Herro
At this point, it would be shocking if the Heat chose to give Powell an extension over Herro. Even if the Heat continues to kick down the contract extension decision for Herro, I can't envision a scenario (that doesn't involve the team acquiring a star player) where they would willingly trade Herro in favor of keeping Powell.
Even if you think they're equal players when it comes to scoring the basketball, Herro is six years younger. He's also a better rebounder and playmaker. For a Heat team that lacks in those two key departments, it would benefit them to keep Herro over Powell.
If there's any knock on Herro, it's his inability to remain healthy. But, especially of late, the same concerns could revolve around Powell.
And if they both have those questions, the Heat are going to go with Herro 10 out of 10 times. And, while he's far from a perfect player, that's probably the right move anyway.
That still doesn't take away how much the narrative around Powell has significantly changed over the last couple of months. For a player who was embraced by the fan base, it is surprising, to say the least, that the writing may be on the wall for his eventual exit this summer.
Miami has been backed into a corner that I'm not sure Powell or the Heat expected.