Powell discusses ‘childhood dream’ of playing for Heat, his Wade encounter, what to expect
When Norman Powell saw Heat legend Dwyane Wade in Europe last month, the Heat’s newest acquisition reminded Wade that he was an inspiration and a model for his game growing up.
Wade, in turn, told Powell that he was proud of all that he has accomplished, with Powell transitioning from an ace sixth man to an outstanding starter with a very good Clippers team last season.
Powell, much to his surprise, returned from Europe this week as a member of the team that Wade helped lead to three NBA titles.
Monday’s three-team trade that sent Powell to Miami, John Collins to the Clippers and Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love to Utah stunned Powell, who had expected a contract extension from the Clippers instead, but also pleased him.
“When I got the call and they said I was traded, it was a shock because you’re not expecting it; just had a career year and you would like to believe you’re going to have some extension talks,” said Powell, who’s entering the final year of a contract that will pay him $20.5 million this season.
But… “hearing it was Miami, I was really excited,” he said, noting a couple of his former teammates who played for the Heat said “amazing things about the city, the fans, the organization. Thinking back to my childhood, being a big fan of Dwyane Wade. Wanting to play for the Heat.. was a childhood dream. Definitely was a full circle moment for me.”
Even more so after his recent encounter with Wade.
“Got to talk to him a little bit,” he said, calling him “a guy you modeled your game after….Taking moves and different things from [Wade] and implementing it into my game and talking to him and seeing how he watches my game and knows my game and is proud of me and what I’ve been able to accomplish and [appreciates] that he was a motivating factor in my basketball career.
“Literally two weeks later, to be traded to the Heat and seeing him comment [favorably] under the [social media post about the trade]” was exciting, Powell said, adding that they have texted each other since the trade.
After finishing fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting the previous two seasons, Powell became a highly productive starter for the Clippers last season, averaging 21.8 points while shooting 48.4% and 41.8% on threes, becoming one of only six NBA players to reach all three of those thresholds.
The Heat hasn’t told him whether he will start or come off the bench.
“I see myself as a key guy, a one, two option that can help carry a team to win,” he said. “I’ve always seen myself as a go-to guy. I don’t have a big ego of ‘I have to be the main guy.’ I want to win....
“I’ve not been shy to say that I’m a starter. I can be an All-Star if given the opportunity. This year, given the opportunity, I showcased that, being in the top 10 of All Star voting and people talking about me being a snub, how I should have made the All Star team.
“I’m a versatile player who can play a multiple of roles and excel in any role. Being able to attack the paint will open up opportunities for others. Me and Bam [Adebayo] in the pick and roll can take pressure off guys.”
Powell, 32, also sees an opportunity to flourish alongside Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell.
“I want to make it easy for Tyler,” he said. “He was the focal point last year, had a lot of attention on him… I think it will be really good, especially with Davion, the way he guards, the way he’s attacking and aggressive... I noticed in the playoffs and play-in, Davion coming in and changing the tempo. That’s really beneficial for us to pick up the pace.”
Does Powell consider himself an underrated player?
“I think I am. I’ve never viewed myself as that but I think I am... People don’t really see what I can bring to the table. Last year was the first full year of people being able to say, ‘this guy is actually really good and can be a go to guy every single night and help a team win.’”
He spoke to Heat president Pat Riley on the telephone Wednesday and said “Pat likes my little floater I’ve developed over the years. Being able to work on both sides of the floor, Tyler on one side, me on the other” is an exciting possibility.
He exchanged text messages with coach Erik Spoelstra and said “everybody’s texts, Spo to Pat to the coaching staff, everybody in the organization is super excited. They mentioned how they’ve wanted to get me and have tried to get me for several years now.
“It’s always good to have that initial energy and excitement when you are traded to a new team that they actually want you and had their eye on you for a long time and talking about how they see you can fit into the team and.. how you can make an impact with my scoring and being dynamic and my versatility and being able to do a bunch of different things that can complement the guys they already have.”
Powell said he fits the Heat culture “perfectly, that grit, that competitiveness, putting in the extra work, the late nights, early mornings. That’s who I am to a T. .. I’m extremely hard working. I’ve hung my hat on making my weaknesses my strengths and my strengths even better.”
He also vowed to be a diligent defender, after some slippage in that area last season.
“I know people have talked about how that’s taken a step back since my Toronto days. I’m really excited to put a main focus on that and get back to guarding, pressuring.”
The Heat’s options with Powell include keeping him for the full season and seeing how it plays out, flipping him at the February trade deadline or giving him a three-year extension worth up to $80.6 million. For now, the organization is eager to see how his scoring will boost one of the league’s worse offenses.
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 6:17 PM.
