Why Norman Powell could be a perfect fit for Heat

The Miami Heat made one of the more underrated moves of the NBA offseason, acquiring Norman Powell in a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz.

The confirmed deal sends Powell to Miami, John Collins to the Clippers and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 second-round pick to the Jazz.

Coming off a career season, Powell is a massive upgrade in South Beach. He averaged 21.8 points per game last season while shooting 41.8 percent from three. He should fit right into a starting role in a trio with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

The Clippers are more on the surprising end of this trade. Collins averaged 19 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season in Utah, and while he's a solid frontcourt playmaker, Powell's impact on the franchise and the fan base was paramount.

In the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Powell continued to be one of L.A.'s primary scorers. That said, it was clear that the Clippers struggled to keep pace with the frontcourt athleticism throughout the seven-game series.

Collins can help fill that void and shoulder some of the load that was put on Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac as the season concluded.

As for the Heat, whose struggles were geared toward efficiency on the offensive side of the ball, they needed another scoring option who could take the pressure off Herro.

This is pretty ideal timing for the Heat. They lost Duncan Robinson in a sign-and-trade on July 1, and Andrew Wiggins has also popped up in rumors since the start of free agency.

Powell, Herro and Adebayo are a great core for the Heat to work with as they try to get back into contention next season in a wide-open Eastern Conference. And the moves likely won't end here this summer.