If Norman Powell can embrace a familiar role as a super sixth man for the Miami Heat down the stretch and emerge as a key part of locking up a 5th or 6th seed in the Eastern Conference, it would likely all but cement his chances of earning a contract extension with the team this summer.
The only problem is, that could be a tough sell for a player who just earned All-Star honors.
Norman Powell could give the Heat a final boost
Especially considering that every game he's played in this season for Miami, it may be difficult for Erik Spoelstra to have that conversation with Powell once he's ready to return from injury. However, with the way the team is playing of late, with Tyler Herro in the starting lineup, it's hard to imagine that Spo would change things up now.
Miami has won seven games in a row and 11 of its last 14 games. They're one of the hottest teams in the league, and it finally feels as if this team's offense has bounced back after some crucial valleys this season.
If Powell could embrace a role coming off the bench, that could be the final push this Heat team needs to finally break out of their Play-In Tournament struggles over the last few years.
Norman Powell could etch his name in Heat history
If Powell could be the game-changing piece that the Heat needs off the bench, he would go a long way in not only making a name for himself in Heat history, but he could also prove that this is a role he can play for the team moving forward.
Finding a path to a contract extension (preferably with the Heat) will have to be, at the very least, in the back of Powell's mind.
The priority is certainly his health and getting back to his All-Star form before the end of the season, but if he can also find a path toward an extension with the Heat, that would be the best win-win for Powell down the stretch.
The good news is that Powell has excelled in this role before. If this is a move that Spo elects to experiment with when he returns from injury, it's already been proven that, when he's motivated, Powell has the ability to be one of the best sixth men in the league.
If he can find a path back to that form, there's no question that he can not only emerge as the final boost this Heat team needs to break out of the Play-In Tournament mediocrity in the East, but that he can also go a long way in solidifying his chances of getting that contract extension this summer.