Tyler Herro’s injury could conceivably torpedo the Miami Heat’s season before it even starts. But it won’t. At the very least, they have a better shot of surviving his absence. And it’s all thanks to the Norman Powell trade.
Everybody already agreed the Heat’s acquisition of the 32-year-old guard was a heist. They sent out two players who didn’t factor into their short-term or bigger-picture plans, Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson, for someone who churned out a borderline All-Star campaign last season. That is highway robbery at its most absurd possible level.
Now, though, Miami’s grand-trade larceny has become essential.
Miami needs Norman Powell to survive Tyler Herro’s injury
Herro is undergoing surgery on his left foot/ankle, and expected to miss at least one month of action, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. That leaves the Heat down their best offensive shot-maker, and arguably their best passer.
Surviving without him will require success-by-committee. The prospect of success, though, increases tenfold thanks to Powell’s arrival.
Though Powell is not someone Miami can trust to table-set for others, his shooting and rim pressure will come in handy during Herro’s absence. The Heat faltered last season, in particular, to generate consistent rim pressure and free-throw opportunities following Jimmy Butler’s exit. Powell is going to help fill those gaps.
He averaged just over six shot attempts at the rim per 100 possessions last season, according to PBP Stats. Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are the only players from the Heat’s regular rotation who averaged more.
Over the course of his career, Powell has also demonstrated an underappreciated ability to draw fouls. Just last year, he generated free-throws on around 16 percent of his two-point attempts. Andrew Wiggins was the only Miami player to match that mark while logging at least 1,200 minutes.
Norman Powell can do more than many realize
Granted, Powell is at his absolute best when he can operate off the catch, and quickly uncork a jumper or get going downhill. Those situations will be harder to carve out without defenses zeroing in on Herro, or another accomplished primary ball-handler on the wings.
Fortunately for the Heat, Powell’s effectiveness is not entirely reliant on the play of others.
Last season, he rated in the 83rd percentile or higher of half-court shot creation, three-point pull-up shot creation, and pull-up three-point efficiency, according to BBall Index. He also continued to make over 50 percent of his twos, and more than 42 percent of his threes when playing without both James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Make no bones about it, Miami is going to struggle without Herro. He is, inarguably, their best offensive player. But where his absence would have at one time ended the Heat’s playoff hopes, the Powell trade has given them a chance to keep them alive until he returns.