The dilemma Miami Heat has with an important player on the roster

Norman Powell will start the 2025/26 season with a contract expiring next summer, but Miami does not rule out offering him an extension if his performance in the first few weeks confirms that he fits into the project. This was revealed by Barry Jackson from The Miami Herald, who pointed out that the organization will evaluate his impact before making a final decision.

The veteran shooting guard arrived at the Heat in July as part of a three-team trade involving the Clippers and the Jazz. Miami sent Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love to Utah, and although the transaction temporarily pushed the franchise close to the luxury tax threshold, a subsequent move with Haywood Highsmith eased the financial burden. In terms of cost-effectiveness, it was a reasonable gamble: Powell is coming off his best career season, providing an offensive profile that the team needed.

In Los Angeles, the 32-year-old player averaged 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 32.6 minutes per game, with shooting percentages of 48.4% from the field, 41.8% from three-point range, and 80.4% from the free-throw line. He started in 60 games, setting personal highs in scoring, minutes played, and three-pointers made (179 total). His performance establishes him as an immediately valuable asset, although his contractual future still raises questions.

Powell enters the final year of the five-year, $90 million deal he signed with Portland in 2021, with a salary of $20.5 million for this season. He is eligible for an extension until June 30, 2026, but failing to reach a new agreement by that date will make him an unrestricted free agent in the market.

The Heat's Situation

Miami's financial outlook for the future is manageable. Terry Rozier and Simone Fontecchio will free up around 35 million at the end of the season. However, the front office will also need to decide the fate of Tyler Herro, a free agent in 2027 with an extension option starting October 1, and Andrew Wiggins, who has a player option for 2026/27. The decisions regarding these two players will be crucial in shaping the salary structure and will determine how much room there is to commit to Powell long-term.

Against this backdrop, the front office's cautious approach makes sense. Before committing to figures and years, they want to see how well the veteran adapts to Erik Spoelstra's culture and how his scoring ability fits alongside Herro, Bam Adebayo, and the rest of the core. If the chemistry clicks, Powell could secure a contract to extend his career in Florida. Otherwise, the 2026 free agency awaits him as one of the most intriguing names in his class.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El dilema que tiene Miami Heat con un importante jugador de la plantilla