After putting together a career-best season, Norman Powell expected to negotiate a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Instead, the former Lincoln High School and UCLA star [was traded to the Miami Heat earlier this week as a part of a three-team deal.](https://wpdash.medianewsgroup.com/2025/07/07/clippers-trade-norman-powell-acquire-john-collins-in-3-team-deal/)
The Clippers received John Collins from the Jazz. Utah received Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson from Miami and a 2027 second-round pick from the Clippers.
The 32-year-old Powell grew up in San Diego idolizing both Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. He said joining the Heat, Wade’s former team, “a dream come true.”
“I’ve had a couple guys I’ve played with who played for the organization and said some amazing things about the city, fans and organization,” Powell said. “Thinking back to my childhood, being a fan of Dwyane Wade, watching the Heat, wanting to play for the Heat. Childhood dream. Definitely a full-circle moment for me.”
The 32-year old Powell believes he’s peaking as a player. The numbers back it up.
Always known for his intense work ethic and classy locker room presence, Powell averaged a career-high 21.8 points per game in 2024-25. He shot 48.4% fromt the field and hit 41.8% of his 3-pointers. Powell nearly made his first All-Star team and entered the offseason as a coveted asset on the trade market.
It has been a process.
After being selected in the second round of the draft in 2015, Powell averaged 5.6 points in 14.8 minutes per game while shooting 42.4% as a rookie. There was was no guarantee that a long NBA career was in the cards.
By 2019, Powell was a key role player for Toronto’s NBA championship squad and was emerging as one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters.
Powell was traded from Toronto to Portland in 2022. His career took off after he was dealt to the Clippers in 2022.
The key to Powell’s steady development: Hard work.
“Just getting in the gym every day and working on all facets of my game,” said Powell, who will host his annual youth basketball camp at Lincoln on Aug. 23. “There are no shortcuts. You have to put in that work and continue looking at ways to improve your skill set and help your team. I’ve always been a hard worker and it has paid off over time. The thing is, I feel like I’m just hitting my prime as a player. When you can combine experience with the versatility I bring, that’s a nice combination.”
#### Strike Force stay hot
#### With three games remaining in the Indoor Football League regular season, the San Diego Strike Force have wrapped up a playoff spot. Now, they have a chance to overtake first-place Bay Area in the Western Conference standings and earn home-field advantage for the postseason.
The Strike Force (9-4) have won six straight, including last week’s 46-38 home victory over Bay Area (10-3). Quarterback Nate Davis threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns and Josh Maldonado caught four passes for 86 yards and a touchdown in the win.
San Diego will travel to the Arizona Rattlers (8-5) on Saturday. Kickoff is 6:05 p.m.