Norman Powell will likely open the 2025/26 season on an expiring contract, but the Heat are open to the idea of extending the veteran wing if the start of the season goes well, a source tells Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
The Heat acquired Powell in July from the Clippers in a three-team trade that sent Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love from Miami to Utah. While the move helped push the Heat into luxury tax territory (they later got out of the tax by trading Haywood Highsmith), the outgoing package was a modest price to pay for a talented offensive player coming off arguably the best season of his career.
In 60 games (all starts) for the Clippers in 2024/25, Powell averaged 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 32.6 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .484/.418/.804. He set career highs in points and minutes per contest, as well as three-pointers made (3.0 per game; 179 in total).
Powell, 32, will make about $20.5MM this season in the final season of the five-year, $90MM contract he signed with Portland as a free agent during the summer of 2021. He’s eligible to sign an extension at any point between now and June 30 — if he doesn’t complete a new deal by that time, he’ll reach unrestricted free agency next offseason.
The Heat’s salary cap situation going forward isn’t too bad, with nearly $35MM for Terry Rozier and Simone Fontecchio set to come off the books at the end of the 2025/26 season. However, Miami will also need to figure out whether Tyler Herro (UFA in 2027) and Andrew Wiggins (player option for 2026/27) are part of the long-term plans — and if so, at what price.
Given that Powell has yet to suit up for the Heat, it makes sense that the front office would prefer to wait until after the season begins to assess his fit and perhaps to get a clearer sense of what the team’s future cap situation will look like (Herro will be able to sign an extension between October 1 and the start of the regular season).
Lebron’s going back to Miami, isn’t he?
I had a thought — he signs a one year vet min contract and plays his final year in Cleveland
Would be nasty and a hell of a send off
It’s extremely unlikely given LeBron’s stance on getting paid and not being team friendly.
A player of his stature should not be risking life-altering injury at his age for a paltry 3-4M.
The only reason Jordan did it in Washington was because he had an ownership stake he thought he was going back to. He raised the value of his team and then they screwed him.
Cleveland already had LeBron at a significant discount for multiple seasons – when he was on his Rookie contract.
LeBron GM has shown a willingness in the past to take less money if it benefits the team as far as flexibility. He took less money then he could have he went to Miami. The Heat repaid him by waiving role players like Mike Miller to duck the luxury tax. He also signed for less last off season so the Lakers wouldn’t go over the second apron. He’s not going to sign for the minimum though, that’s ridiculous.