Norman Powell trade was an 'A' grade no matter how this Heat season ends

Whether he's starting for the Miami Heat or coming off the bench, Norman Powell has done one thing with consistency and excellence this season: produce. In fact, an argument could be made that Powell's impact this season has helped them stay above water, even if they appear to be sinking right now. 

The Heat are having a tough go at it thanks to another crushing loss and one against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. It marked Miami's fifth loss in a row, and they're falling so far back that they're on the verge of landing in the final play-in spot, if they can't snap out of this rut.

Powell, however, had 21 points coming off the bench against the Spurs, leading the Heat in scoring. But that's what Powell has done for the Heat all season, and despite the team's up-and-down struggles since the start, he's been the one beacon of consistency, which is why Miami's trade for him last offseason was so important. 

The worst thing the Heat can do is lose Norman Powell after one season

Powell has always been known as a role player, but an above-average one, at that. After his time with the Toronto Raptors came to an end (which included a championship in 2019), Powell really came into his own as an above-average role player when he joined the Portland Trail Blazers.

Beginning in that championship season, then to Portland, and beyond, Powell has never averaged fewer than double-digits in points since. For nine straight seasons to date, Powell has been every bit effective, efficient, and impactful on every team he's played for. 

This season in Miami, which could be a one-and-done, Powell is scoring a career-best 22.3 points per game and has led the Heat in that category all season. A role player is not supposed to be a team's leading scorer for an entire season, but that proves why he's not simply a role player, but an above-average one. 

Powell's "above average" status goes back to last season when he was with the LA Clippers. Kawhi Leonard was out for much of the season, but Powell stepped in and up and virtually carried that team alongside James Harden until Leonard eventually returned. Powell was All-Star worthy last year and eventually broke through this year.

Sadly, despite how well this season has gone for Powell individually and his impact on the Heat as a team, he's playing on a one-year deal and will hit the market this summer as an unrestricted free agent. Powell has made it clear he wants to return, and the Heat should take that very seriously. 

With Powell, the Heat have the 13th-best offense in the NBA, a stark contrast to the past few years, when Miami's offense was not impressive by any means, even with Jimmy Butler in the building. 

Miami is a place for stars and superstars — Powell is neither. That said, he's been their most important player, and Pat Riley would do well to offer Powell every opportunity to return to the Heat over the summer, because in his role, they need him, as has been evident this season. 

Last season, Miami may have pulled off the best offseason trade, and it's paid off, no matter how this season ends for them. The question is: If they pull off an even bigger trade this offseason and bring back Powell, are we looking at a completely different squad for the 2026-27 season? It's quite possible, yes.