Norman Powell Says Joining Heat Is ‘Childhood Dream’

Norman Powell called it a “childhood dream” to join the Miami Heat, and that dream became reality last week following a three-team trade that sent the veteran guard from the Los Angeles Clippers to South Florida.

Powell was introduced via Zoom on Wednesday and spoke candidly about the move, which came after what he called “a crazy last couple of weeks.”

“I didn’t know what to think at first,” Powell said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “It has been a crazy last couple of weeks, from talking to [Clippers GM] Lawrence Frank at my exit meeting and what they were telling me. It was something I knew was a possibility … but it was made to seem like it wasn’t a high possibility of it happening.”

Powell added that he believed he was headed for contract extension talks with the Clippers before the trade materialized. Now, he’ll look to make his mark in Miami — a city and franchise he long admired while growing up as a fan of Dwyane Wade.

“I see myself as a plug and play,” Powell said. “I see myself as a key guy, a one, two option that can help carry a team to win. … I’ve always seen myself as a go-to guy that can help carry a team, help a team win. I don’t have a big ego of ‘I have to be the main guy.’ I want to win.”

Powell, 31, is coming off a career-best season with the Clippers in which he averaged 13.9 points while shooting a blistering 43.5% from three. He’s expected to slide into a prominent scoring role for Miami, particularly in late-game situations — an area where the Heat struggled mightily last season.

From Jan. 1 on, Miami had the NBA’s worst record in clutch games and ranked among the league’s bottom two in shot-making during crunch time. Powell, on the other hand, finished 12th in clutch three-point percentage among players with at least 10 attempts, going 7-of-14 in those situations.

Financially, the move doesn’t create long-term salary complications for Miami. Powell is on an expiring $20.5 million deal, and the Heat shed Duncan Robinson’s contract as part of the broader offseason maneuvering. Kevin Love, who was also moved, had an expiring deal, while Kyle Anderson’s $9.4 million salary for 2026–27 is non-guaranteed.

Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel noted that Powell represents a clear upgrade from Robinson, calling him a “more complete offensive threat” rather than a specialist. He added that retaining Robinson would’ve cost close to $20 million annually, nearly identical to Powell’s current salary.

For Powell, the fit in Miami is about more than numbers. He sees himself as a natural match for the Heat’s demanding culture, and he believes his mindset lines up with the franchise’s values.

“Growing up watching D-Wade, watching how the Heat played, it was always something I respected,” he said. “I just want to work, be coached, and win. That’s what I’m here to do.”

The Heat finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings but fought their way to the playoffs via the play-in tournament, despite owning the 10th-best seed. They were promptly swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.