Norman Powell Caught Off Guard By Trade To Heat

[RealGM Wiretap]

Veteran guard Norman Powell wasn't expected to be traded from the LA Clippers this offseason. However, Powell is happy to have landed with the Miami Heat.

"Honestly, I didn’t know what to think at first. I mean, it’s been a crazy last couple of weeks, just from talking to Lawrence Frank in my exit meeting and what they were telling me, Powell said. "When I got the call and said I was traded, obviously it’s a shock, because you’re not expecting it. You just had a career year."

Despite the shock of being traded, Powell is looking forward to playing for the Heat.

"Hearing that it was Miami, I was really excited," Powell said. "And then thinking back to my childhood and being a big fan of Dwyane Wade and watching the Heat growing up and wanting to play for the Heat organization as one of the teams as a childhood dream that you want to play for, it’s definitely a cool, full-circle moment for me."

Via Ira Winderman/South Florida Sun Sentinel

[CaHgO]

He should be ecstatic. A much better city, a much better organization, a much better culture, and in a much weaker conference. They also happen to suck big time, so he will be high in the pecking order and get some great stats.

[puja21]

He should be ecstatic. A much better city, a much better organization, a much better culture, and in a much weaker conference. They also happen to suck big time, so he will be high in the pecking order and get some great stats.

Miami > LA as a city is debatable but I don't see a big gap between these franchises.

Riley is in his 80s now and Butler is gone (& was aged out anyway)

The Culture IMO is grossly overstated (look at Lebron and Jimmy's exits)

Miami has had a bottom-10 offensive rating for each of the last 3 seasons

Since Lebron left, the Heat are just 63 games over .500... Clippers in that span are +184 games (as you said, in a tougher conference)

Yes, they had the 2 Finals runs, but they also missed the playoffs entirely 3x and went out in the 1st round 4x.

In those first round losses, were swept twice and a 2-16 record in the series.

3 great seasons in 11 years with 0 titles is a big nothing burger for me, same as the Clippers

[JFiasco]

Not saying Miami is better than LA (silly discussion)

the Heat are just 63 games over .500

its been well documented that Miami have not valued the regular season for a while now.

2 finals runs in say 6 years... that's more than *checks notes* everyone else but Boston.
And if we compare them to other finalists, they also haven't been stellar since their appearances, besides Boston.

Lakers - have not been taken seriously since
Suns - About to pay Beal to go away and have not looked competitive in the last 2-3 seasons
Buck - pretty much the same as the suns
GSW - They haven't made it past the 2nd round since
Denver - This past season was very messy, and now there are concerns around them keeping their best player
Dallas - Fire Nico
OKC - likely to be historic
Ind - I don't want to talk about it... as a basketball fan, it hurts too much.

[bqmuzik]

This was the perfect response.

He should be ecstatic. A much better city, a much better organization, a much better culture, and in a much weaker conference. They also happen to suck big time, so he will be high in the pecking order and get some great stats.

Miami > LA as a city is debatable but I don't see a big gap between these franchises.

Riley is in his 80s now and Butler is gone (& was aged out anyway)

The Culture IMO is grossly overstated (look at Lebron and Jimmy's exits)

Miami has had a bottom-10 offensive rating for each of the last 3 seasons

Since Lebron left, the Heat are just 63 games over .500... Clippers in that span are +184 games (as you said, in a tougher conference)

Yes, they had the 2 Finals runs, but they also missed the playoffs entirely 3x and went out in the 1st round 4x.

In those first round losses, were swept twice and a 2-16 record in the series.

3 great seasons in 11 years with 0 titles is a big nothing burger for me, same as the Clippers

[BadMofoPimp]

He should be ecstatic. A much better city, a much better organization, a much better culture, and in a much weaker conference. They also happen to suck big time, so he will be high in the pecking order and get some great stats.

Miami > LA as a city is debatable but I don't see a big gap between these franchises.

Riley is in his 80s now and Butler is gone (& was aged out anyway)

The Culture IMO is grossly overstated (look at Lebron and Jimmy's exits)

Miami has had a bottom-10 offensive rating for each of the last 3 seasons

Since Lebron left, the Heat are just 63 games over .500... Clippers in that span are +184 games (as you said, in a tougher conference)

Yes, they had the 2 Finals runs, but they also missed the playoffs entirely 3x and went out in the 1st round 4x.

In those first round losses, were swept twice and a 2-16 record in the series.

3 great seasons in 11 years with 0 titles is a big nothing burger for me, same as the Clippers

I have worked in Miami and LA while if I had a choice, it would be MIami if you want a more relaxed atmosphere but if you are active, there is more to do in LA. I take Miami all day long, personally. But, I do like Fishing and Diving. As a musician as well, I would choose LA as Miami music scene isn't that good. Yet, I am older now while working in MIami is alway pleasant, not in LA. Much more wide open and lot more space.

Also, I disagree with the Heat Culture being a Floridian and seeing their offseason and training. They do have a hardcore culture that takes G-leaguers and guys half out of the league and make them solid role players. I don't really see that in that many teams cities. Heat Culture all day long.

As far as wins and Finals, I agree that LA usually has the pocketbooks to contend way more often. I hope the Heat can achieve LA's status for sports.

But, it sure is fun watching a team with many castoff's push teams in the playoffs every year Finals or not. Just fun gritty basketball. I like the team sport aspect over having a superstar to root for then lamenting on the dirth of talent around them.

I had fun during the Butler years but was time to move on.

Heat gonna provem all wrong someday!

[BadMofoPimp]

He should be ecstatic. A much better city, a much better organization, a much better culture, and in a much weaker conference. They also happen to suck big time, so he will be high in the pecking order and get some great stats.

Miami > LA as a city is debatable but I don't see a big gap between these franchises.

Riley is in his 80s now and Butler is gone (& was aged out anyway)

The Culture IMO is grossly overstated (look at Lebron and Jimmy's exits)

Miami has had a bottom-10 offensive rating for each of the last 3 seasons

Since Lebron left, the Heat are just 63 games over .500... Clippers in that span are +184 games (as you said, in a tougher conference)

Yes, they had the 2 Finals runs, but they also missed the playoffs entirely 3x and went out in the 1st round 4x.

In those first round losses, were swept twice and a 2-16 record in the series.

3 great seasons in 11 years with 0 titles is a big nothing burger for me, same as the Clippers

I have worked in Miami and LA while if I had a choice, it would be MIami if you want a more relaxed atmosphere but if you are active, there is more to do in LA. I take Miami all day long, personally. But, I do like Fishing and Diving. As a musician as well, I would choose LA as Miami music scene isn't that good. Yet, I am older now while working in MIami is alway pleasant, not in LA. Much more wide open and lot more space.

Also, I disagree with the Heat Culture being a Floridian and seeing their offseason and training. They do have a hardcore culture that takes G-leaguers and guys half out of the league and make them solid role players. I don't really see that in that many teams cities. Heat Culture all day long.

As far as wins and Finals, I agree that LA usually has the pocketbooks to contend way more often. I hope the Heat can achieve LA's status for sports.

But, it sure is fun watching a team with many castoff's push teams in the playoffs every year Finals or not. Just fun gritty basketball. I like the team sport aspect over having a superstar to root for then lamenting on the dirth of talent around them.

I had fun during the Butler years but was time to move on.

Heat gonna provem all wrong someday!

[Cipoteman]

Forget about culture, he's about to make $20.5M this season, which would be approximately $9.5M net in California vs $12.5M in Florida, which is a nice raise. He can't complain about that

[puja21]

Miami > LA as a city is debatable but I don't see a big gap between these franchises.

Riley is in his 80s now and Butler is gone (& was aged out anyway)

The Culture IMO is grossly overstated (look at Lebron and Jimmy's exits)

Miami has had a bottom-10 offensive rating for each of the last 3 seasons

Since Lebron left, the Heat are just 63 games over .500... Clippers in that span are +184 games (as you said, in a tougher conference)

Yes, they had the 2 Finals runs, but they also missed the playoffs entirely 3x and went out in the 1st round 4x.

In those first round losses, were swept twice and a 2-16 record in the series.

3 great seasons in 11 years with 0 titles is a big nothing burger for me, same as the Clippers

I have worked in Miami and LA while if I had a choice, it would be MIami if you want a more relaxed atmosphere but if you are active, there is more to do in LA. I take Miami all day long, personally. But, I do like Fishing and Diving. As a musician as well, I would choose LA as Miami music scene isn't that good. Yet, I am older now while working in MIami is alway pleasant, not in LA. Much more wide open and lot more space.

Also, I disagree with the Heat Culture being a Floridian and seeing their offseason and training. They do have a hardcore culture that takes G-leaguers and guys half out of the league and make them solid role players. I don't really see that in that many teams cities. Heat Culture all day long.

As far as wins and Finals, I agree that LA usually has the pocketbooks to contend way more often. I hope the Heat can achieve LA's status for sports.

But, it sure is fun watching a team with many castoff's push teams in the playoffs every year Finals or not. Just fun gritty basketball. I like the team sport aspect over having a superstar to root for then lamenting on the dirth of talent around them.

I had fun during the Butler years but was time to move on.

Heat gonna provem all wrong someday!

You're making my point

All 5 of the other teams in the top-6 around Miami have titles.

Miami is the one team that has 0 chips up there.

Citing playoff wins for a team barely 5 games over .500 in 11 years is a participation trophy flex

Nothing burger.

[puja21]

Also, I disagree with the Heat Culture being a Floridian and seeing their offseason and training. They do have a hardcore culture that takes G-leaguers and guys half out of the league and make them solid role players. I don't really see that in that many teams cities. Heat Culture all day long.

Heat have brought along a lot of guys, but it's happened everywhere in the last decade or two on some scale.
("it" = going to rotation from G league / euro / undrafted / late 2RP)

76ers: TJ/Roco/Holmes/Hollis Thompson
Cavs: Delly/Dean Wade/Craig Porter Jr
Celts: Kornet/Wanamaker
Hawks: Damion Lee/Bazemore
Grizz: Pippen
Jazz: Jingles/Wes Matthews
Kings: Seth Curry
Knicks: Linsanity/Ron Baker/Lance Thomas
Lakers: Caruso/Reaves/Pargo
Magic: Dedmon
Mavs: Maxi Kleber
Nugs: Mozgov
Pistons: Christian Wood
Raptors: Siakam/FVV
SPurs: Gary Neal/Aron Baynes
Thunder: Dort
Warriors: Anthony Morrow
Wizards: GP2, Garrett Temple
Wolves: Naz

Heat got a lot of press bc of the Finals runs but I bet you could find 2-3 guys from all 30 teams.

[BadMofoPimp]

Also, I disagree with the Heat Culture being a Floridian and seeing their offseason and training. They do have a hardcore culture that takes G-leaguers and guys half out of the league and make them solid role players. I don't really see that in that many teams cities. Heat Culture all day long.

Heat have brought along a lot of guys, but it's happened everywhere in the last decade or two on some scale.
("it" = going to rotation from G league / euro / undrafted / late 2RP)

76ers: TJ/Roco/Holmes/Hollis Thompson
Cavs: Delly/Dean Wade/Craig Porter Jr
Celts: Kornet/Wanamaker
Hawks: Damion Lee/Bazemore
Grizz: Pippen
Jazz: Jingles/Wes Matthews
Kings: Seth Curry
Knicks: Linsanity/Ron Baker/Lance Thomas
Lakers: Caruso/Reaves/Pargo
Magic: Dedmon
Mavs: Maxi Kleber
Nugs: Mozgov
Pistons: Christian Wood
Raptors: Siakam/FVV
SPurs: Gary Neal/Aron Baynes
Thunder: Dort
Warriors: Anthony Morrow
Wizards: GP2, Garrett Temple
Wolves: Naz

Heat got a lot of press bc of the Finals runs but I bet you could find 2-3 guys from all 30 teams.

Didn't the Heat on their finals run have more than 2-3 guys who were undrafted, G-Leaguers or late round pics playing major roles? I get it. Bam drafted 14th and Herro drafted 13th. You probably either hate the Heat or are jealous.

2020 Finals run:
Solomon Hill 23rd pick
Meyers Leonard
Derrick Jones Jr. undrafted
Kendrick Nunn undrafted
Gabe Vincent undrafted
Duncan Robinson undrafted

2023 Finals Run:
Udonis Haslem: Undrafted
Haywood Highsmith: Undrafted
Caleb Martin: Undrafted
Orlando Robinson: undrafted
Duncan Robinson: undrafted
Max Strus: undrafted
Gabe Vincent: undrafted

One game in the finals, they had 3 undrafted players starting with not even a single lottery pick on the team. Heat Culture.

[puja21]

Also, I disagree with the Heat Culture being a Floridian and seeing their offseason and training. They do have a hardcore culture that takes G-leaguers and guys half out of the league and make them solid role players. I don't really see that in that many teams cities. Heat Culture all day long.

Heat have brought along a lot of guys, but it's happened everywhere in the last decade or two on some scale.
("it" = going to rotation from G league / euro / undrafted / late 2RP)

76ers: TJ/Roco/Holmes/Hollis Thompson
Cavs: Delly/Dean Wade/Craig Porter Jr
Celts: Kornet/Wanamaker
Hawks: Damion Lee/Bazemore
Grizz: Pippen
Jazz: Jingles/Wes Matthews
Kings: Seth Curry
Knicks: Linsanity/Ron Baker/Lance Thomas
Lakers: Caruso/Reaves/Pargo
Magic: Dedmon
Mavs: Maxi Kleber
Nugs: Mozgov
Pistons: Christian Wood
Raptors: Siakam/FVV
SPurs: Gary Neal/Aron Baynes
Thunder: Dort
Warriors: Anthony Morrow
Wizards: GP2, Garrett Temple
Wolves: Naz

Heat got a lot of press bc of the Finals runs but I bet you could find 2-3 guys from all 30 teams.

Didn't the Heat on their finals run have more than 2-3 guys who were undrafted, G-Leaguers or late round pics playing major roles? I get it. Bam drafted 14th and Herro drafted 13th. You probably either hate the Heat or are jealous.

2020 Finals run:
Solomon Hill 23rd pick
Meyers Leonard
Derrick Jones Jr. undrafted
Kendrick Nunn undrafted
Gabe Vincent undrafted
Duncan Robinson undrafted

2023 Finals Run:
Udonis Haslem: Undrafted
Haywood Highsmith: Undrafted
Caleb Martin: Undrafted
Orlando Robinson: undrafted
Duncan Robinson: undrafted
Max Strus: undrafted
Gabe Vincent: undrafted

One game in the finals, they had 3 undrafted players starting with not even a single lottery pick on the team. Heat Culture.

"you are probably jealous"

Proceeds to include Meyers Leonard, DJJ, and Solomon Hill

Leonard: played 10 mpg in THREE playoff games total.
DJJ: played 6.5 mpg
Hill: played 6 mpg in 11 playoff games total and shot .311/.292

Do you really think every team doesn't have undrafted and/or late picks who suck and are not in their rotation ?

The guys I named are ROTATION contributors... point was that you can probably find 2-3 guys per franchise who MATTER -- which in 2020 for Miami was Duncan and Nunn, full stop.

2023 was more guys, yes. That was unique for sure. And they blew a 3-0 lead to Boston and got spanked in the Finals. IDK what that says about a superior "culture" .

They had a nice run in the East, but I stand by my statement that their recent history is not significantly better than the Clippers.

No titles in >10 years, multiple 1st round meltdowns, bottom-10 offense for a while now and barely over .500 regular season. No one is jealous of those results.

You might wanna look in the mirror RE: bias if you think Solomon Hill in 2020 is some amazing example of heat culture bc he shot 30% in 6 mins per game

[BadMofoPimp]

Heat have brought along a lot of guys, but it's happened everywhere in the last decade or two on some scale.
("it" = going to rotation from G league / euro / undrafted / late 2RP)

76ers: TJ/Roco/Holmes/Hollis Thompson
Cavs: Delly/Dean Wade/Craig Porter Jr
Celts: Kornet/Wanamaker
Hawks: Damion Lee/Bazemore
Grizz: Pippen
Jazz: Jingles/Wes Matthews
Kings: Seth Curry
Knicks: Linsanity/Ron Baker/Lance Thomas
Lakers: Caruso/Reaves/Pargo
Magic: Dedmon
Mavs: Maxi Kleber
Nugs: Mozgov
Pistons: Christian Wood
Raptors: Siakam/FVV
SPurs: Gary Neal/Aron Baynes
Thunder: Dort
Warriors: Anthony Morrow
Wizards: GP2, Garrett Temple
Wolves: Naz

Heat got a lot of press bc of the Finals runs but I bet you could find 2-3 guys from all 30 teams.

Didn't the Heat on their finals run have more than 2-3 guys who were undrafted, G-Leaguers or late round pics playing major roles? I get it. Bam drafted 14th and Herro drafted 13th. You probably either hate the Heat or are jealous.

2020 Finals run:
Solomon Hill 23rd pick
Meyers Leonard
Derrick Jones Jr. undrafted
Kendrick Nunn undrafted
Gabe Vincent undrafted
Duncan Robinson undrafted

2023 Finals Run:
Udonis Haslem: Undrafted
Haywood Highsmith: Undrafted
Caleb Martin: Undrafted
Orlando Robinson: undrafted
Duncan Robinson: undrafted
Max Strus: undrafted
Gabe Vincent: undrafted

One game in the finals, they had 3 undrafted players starting with not even a single lottery pick on the team. Heat Culture.

"you are probably jealous"

Proceeds to include Meyers Leonard, DJJ, and Solomon Hill

Leonard: played 10 mpg in THREE playoff games total.
DJJ: played 6.5 mpg
Hill: played 6 mpg in 11 playoff games total and shot .311/.292

Do you really think every team doesn't have undrafted and/or late picks who suck and are not in their rotation ?

The guys I named are ROTATION contributors... point was that you can probably find 2-3 guys per franchise who MATTER -- which in 2020 for Miami was Duncan and Nunn, full stop.

2023 was more guys, yes. That was unique for sure. And they blew a 3-0 lead to Boston and got spanked in the Finals. IDK what that says about a superior "culture" .

They had a nice run in the East, but I stand by my statement that their recent history is not significantly better than the Clippers.

No titles in >10 years, multiple 1st round meltdowns, bottom-10 offense for a while now and barely over .500 regular season. No one is jealous of those results.

You might wanna look in the mirror RE: bias if you think Solomon Hill in 2020 is some amazing example of heat culture bc he shot 30% in 6 mins per game

"How many ships won?" Sound like a Lakers fan. When has the Knicks won a ship? At least the Heat contend most years even though their roster is packed with castoffs more than any team you can mention with many playing important roles including no players drafted in the top 10. Hate for the Heat cannot disprove that.

[puja21]

Didn't the Heat on their finals run have more than 2-3 guys who were undrafted, G-Leaguers or late round pics playing major roles? I get it. Bam drafted 14th and Herro drafted 13th. You probably either hate the Heat or are jealous.

2020 Finals run:
Solomon Hill 23rd pick
Meyers Leonard
Derrick Jones Jr. undrafted
Kendrick Nunn undrafted
Gabe Vincent undrafted
Duncan Robinson undrafted

2023 Finals Run:
Udonis Haslem: Undrafted
Haywood Highsmith: Undrafted
Caleb Martin: Undrafted
Orlando Robinson: undrafted
Duncan Robinson: undrafted
Max Strus: undrafted
Gabe Vincent: undrafted

One game in the finals, they had 3 undrafted players starting with not even a single lottery pick on the team. Heat Culture.

"you are probably jealous"

Proceeds to include Meyers Leonard, DJJ, and Solomon Hill

Leonard: played 10 mpg in THREE playoff games total.
DJJ: played 6.5 mpg
Hill: played 6 mpg in 11 playoff games total and shot .311/.292

Do you really think every team doesn't have undrafted and/or late picks who suck and are not in their rotation ?

The guys I named are ROTATION contributors... point was that you can probably find 2-3 guys per franchise who MATTER -- which in 2020 for Miami was Duncan and Nunn, full stop.

2023 was more guys, yes. That was unique for sure. And they blew a 3-0 lead to Boston and got spanked in the Finals. IDK what that says about a superior "culture" .

They had a nice run in the East, but I stand by my statement that their recent history is not significantly better than the Clippers.

No titles in >10 years, multiple 1st round meltdowns, bottom-10 offense for a while now and barely over .500 regular season. No one is jealous of those results.

You might wanna look in the mirror RE: bias if you think Solomon Hill in 2020 is some amazing example of heat culture bc he shot 30% in 6 mins per game

"How many ships won?" Sound like a Lakers fan. When has the Knicks won a ship? At least the Heat contend most years even though their roster is packed with castoffs more than any team you can mention with many playing important roles including no players drafted in the top 10. Hate for the Heat cannot disprove that.

Hate the Lakers and Knicks -- but their fanbases are less insecure than Miami IMO

Very weird response to imagine something (a random person being pro Knick or Laker).... and then build a straw man argument against your hypothetical

I agree Miami makes an effort to compete and has (thus far) been largely anti-tank.

I just don't think the Heat Culture narrative is worth even the breath Lebatard & others put behind it.

Post Lebron they are a solid franchise, same as the Clippers -- and the results agree

[BadMofoPimp]

"you are probably jealous"

Proceeds to include Meyers Leonard, DJJ, and Solomon Hill

Leonard: played 10 mpg in THREE playoff games total.
DJJ: played 6.5 mpg
Hill: played 6 mpg in 11 playoff games total and shot .311/.292

Do you really think every team doesn't have undrafted and/or late picks who suck and are not in their rotation ?

The guys I named are ROTATION contributors... point was that you can probably find 2-3 guys per franchise who MATTER -- which in 2020 for Miami was Duncan and Nunn, full stop.

2023 was more guys, yes. That was unique for sure. And they blew a 3-0 lead to Boston and got spanked in the Finals. IDK what that says about a superior "culture" .

They had a nice run in the East, but I stand by my statement that their recent history is not significantly better than the Clippers.

No titles in >10 years, multiple 1st round meltdowns, bottom-10 offense for a while now and barely over .500 regular season. No one is jealous of those results.

You might wanna look in the mirror RE: bias if you think Solomon Hill in 2020 is some amazing example of heat culture bc he shot 30% in 6 mins per game

"How many ships won?" Sound like a Lakers fan. When has the Knicks won a ship? At least the Heat contend most years even though their roster is packed with castoffs more than any team you can mention with many playing important roles including no players drafted in the top 10. Hate for the Heat cannot disprove that.

Hate the Lakers and Knicks -- but their fanbases are less insecure than Miami IMO

Very weird response to imagine something (a random person being pro Knick or Laker).... and then build a straw man argument against your hypothetical

I agree Miami makes an effort to compete and has (thus far) been largely anti-tank.

I just don't think the Heat Culture narrative is worth even the breath Lebatard & others put behind it.

Post Lebron they are a solid franchise, same as the Clippers -- and the results agree

How those Lakers culture work out for ya! Throwing money out there beyond the tax really winning ships lately. Some teams just like to work for it instead of buy it. Heat tried that once over a decade ago.

Heat have been in the NBA finals 7 times in the last 20 years, and in the ECF 9 times in the last 21 years, which is amongst the most in the NBA.

Heat Culture.

[puja21]

"How many ships won?" Sound like a Lakers fan. When has the Knicks won a ship? At least the Heat contend most years even though their roster is packed with castoffs more than any team you can mention with many playing important roles including no players drafted in the top 10. Hate for the Heat cannot disprove that.

Hate the Lakers and Knicks -- but their fanbases are less insecure than Miami IMO

Very weird response to imagine something (a random person being pro Knick or Laker).... and then build a straw man argument against your hypothetical

I agree Miami makes an effort to compete and has (thus far) been largely anti-tank.

I just don't think the Heat Culture narrative is worth even the breath Lebatard & others put behind it.

Post Lebron they are a solid franchise, same as the Clippers -- and the results agree

How those Lakers culture work out for ya! Throwing money out there beyond the tax really winning ships lately. Some teams just like to work for it instead of buy it. Heat tried that once over a decade ago.

Heat have been in the NBA finals 7 times in the last 20 years, and in the ECF 9 times in the last 21 years, which is amongst the most in the NBA.

Heat Culture.

Blud is so triggered he can’t even read

There isn’t an NBA sports franchise i dislike more than the Lakers. Mamba mentality is as silly as Heat culture. both obsessive homer/fanboy empty phrases

It is funny you keep attacking the Lakers though… deep insecurity there from another city where no one shows up until the 2nd qtr & count finals losses as a badge