Norman Powell believed he would return to the Miami Heat and play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo before the Heat’s blockbuster trade for the two-time MVP changed the roster-building equation. Powell said Miami had discussed the possibility of pairing him with Giannis, but the addition of Bobby Portis and the team’s resulting cap constraints ultimately prevented that outcome.
“I thought that was the path,” Powell told Mark Medina of Fadeaway World. “We knew they wanted to get Giannis. We heard some rumblings that ‘Norm and Giannis sounds really good.’ So I thought that was the path.”
Powell explained that the structure of the Giannis trade appeared to complicate Miami’s ability to retain him. He said Milwaukee’s inclusion of Portis, combined with the NBA’s CBA restrictions and Miami’s hard-cap limitations, made it more difficult for the Heat to accommodate Powell financially.
Powell also identified Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic as players whose situations could have been altered to create additional flexibility. Wiggins would have needed to decline his roughly $30 million player option and accept less money, while Miami also would have needed to move Jovic, according to Powell.
“They didn’t make the moves necessary to do so,” Powell said. “So it’s about being ahead of the game and seeing how things play out.”
The comments provide context for Powell’s eventual departure from Miami to join the Chicago Bulls despite his productive 2025-26 season. He averaged 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 58 games, shooting 47.0% from the field, 38.0% from three-point range and 82.7% from the free-throw line. His 7.1 three-point attempts per game also made him a significant perimeter scoring option.
Powell started 52 games and averaged 29.6 minutes, earning an All-Star selection. His 21.7 points per game ranked first among the Heat’s listed players, ahead of Tyler Herro’s 20.5 and Bam Adebayo’s 20.1.
Miami ultimately completed the Giannis trade on July 6, sending Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis to Milwaukee while also receiving Portis as part of the transaction. The Heat then retained Wiggins and added Tim Hardaway Jr. on a one-year, $6.1 million contract to address their perimeter scoring needs.
Powell’s explanation drew a direct response from Portis, who was sent to Miami in the deal. “I ain’t no throw in piece,” Portis wrote on social media, while also telling Powell to “keep my name out your mouth.”
