Is Swingman and NBA Champ Norman Powell Headed On Another East Coast Swing?

Two-way guard, Norman Powell, opted against re-signing with the Portland Trailblazers. Portland took a risk by adding him to the roster last year with an 11.6 million player option in tow for 2021-2022. His new west coast team did increase a full point in terms of improvement on offensive efficiency charts.

Ironically, this statistic jump works to increase his value on the open market. But when all is said and done, NBA champion Norman Powell is now an unrestricted free agent.

Looking Elsewhere?

Norman Powell is definitely a hot commodity in today’s market. He has at least four to five serious suitors and it just so happens that the Miami Heat are in the mix.

Will the Heat decide to sign him? A lot of that depends on what will happen with Kendrick Nunn long-term. Powell can put the ball on the floor and create offense. This would give the Heat an additional offensive feature especially as Goran Dragic ages and continues to battle injuries.

“Sports Illustrated” saw this coming back in April of 2021 and advised him to re-sign with the Blazers before adding that they didn’t think he would take the advice.

The Blazers had tried to make him comfortable because they know he is in the prime of his career as a proven winner. Powell has lots of options. He first appeared in Blazers’ colors on March 26. He impressed many by being able to fit in with two high-volume wing players who play in many of the same areas of the court as Powell. His points per game did not significantly suffer in spite of this and in spite of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum both playing heavy minutes.

Powell still averaged 17 points per game in Portland and 18.6 PPG combined over the entire season. He may opt to go to a more up-and-coming team than Portland, who, in the days in the wake of the Lillard supermax contract, seems to have already hit its peak.

In the last few years, the Miami Heat have surpassed expectations and climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference.  However, getting swept in the first round puts some pressure on Miami to change things up.

Back on the East Coast?

Powell won a championship with the Toronto Raptors. Will he be going on a return trip to the East Coast? The New York Knicks like his gritty, attacking style. He is a great third scoring option behind swingman R.J. Barrett and budding superstar Julius Randle. He can shoot from deep; last year he averaged 41.1% from behind the three-point line.

Powell moves so well without the ball and is well respected on defense. He has the reputation of a guy willing to muck it up. These are assets that might mean Duncan Robinson won’t be missed, should they decide to move away from him.

The Celtics might target him as well depending on what they decide to do with a player that uses a similar style to Powell, Evan Fournier.

It is no surprise that so many teams have their gazes turned to Norman Powell. We will have to wait and see if the Miami Heat move to the front of the line. A high-energy two-way shooting guard like Norman Powell would help the Heat stay competitive with the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks.

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