Norman Powell has made it clear that he's happy the Miami Heat traded for him and hopes that he can sign a long-term extension with the team. Especially with how he's started off this season, the ball is now in the Heat's court. For now.
"I love it here. I love everything about the Heat. I loved them before...I wanted to come here and play for the Heat. I like the culture. I like the mentality and the approach...It fits who I am, so I want to be here. Hopefully they feel the same way."
Norman Powell on the Heat
Powell has quickly emerged as one of the biggest steals of the offseason. That was probably already the case to a certain extent, but with the way he's played so far this season, there are no more debates about that.
For what the Heat had to give up, it's far to envision a player who has made a greater impact than Powell for the team.
Through three games played (after sitting out the last two contests with an injury), Powell has been the Heat's leading scorer, averaging 24 points, seven rebounds, and three assists on 48 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Even though he's 32 years old, it's going to be tough for Miami to trade a player with that level of production at the deadline, or to let him walk in free agency next summer. That should force Miami into a very interesting decision.
The Heat has a tough decision to make
Of course, what makes Powell's situation complicated for the Heat is the fact that they have a similar decision to make with Tyler Herro. With still two years left on his current contract, you'd have to assume that if the Heat plan on keeping him on the roster heading into the future that they'll work to try and get an extension done a year early.
That means the Heat could be working to hammer down an extension for both Powell and Herro at the same time.
And considering the Heat is still on the hunt for a franchise-altering superstar player, it's hard to predict how that will all play out. But, I suppose, that's a problem the Heat will have time to figure out.
At least for now, it's clear that Powell's intentions are to remain with the Heat. Whether Miami will be able to make that happen remains to be seen. But if Powell does have his way, he plans to sign a new contract in Miami.