Norman Powell Wants Long-Term Future With Heat
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Miami Heat guard Norman Powell said he “definitely” hopes to sign a new deal with the franchise when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. Speaking to reporters ahead of his first NBA All-Star appearance, Powell expressed confidence that an agreement can be reached to keep him in South Florida.
“Hopefully there’s some good synergy from what they’ve seen that I bring to the table, and hopefully a deal is able to be done sometime,” Powell said. “I see myself being here and being a part of the Heat organization for however long they’ll have me.”
The 30-year-old is finishing the final season of the five-year, $90 million contract he originally signed with the Portland Trail Blazers. In 45 starts for Miami, he is producing career-best numbers with 23.0 points per game, along with 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from three-point range.
Powell is extension-eligible, but if no deal is reached before July 1 he is expected to attract significant interest on the open market. Even so, he said the Heat’s culture and mentality have made his transition “super easy.”
“It’s been nothing but great,” he added. “Everybody in the organization has the same mentality I have of pushing yourself to be the best version of yourself. It’s been fun.”
The veteran has been traded multiple times during his nine-year career and experienced another unusual move this week. Because of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury, Powell shifted from the USA Stripes squad to the World Team for Sunday’s three-team All-Star Game.
Last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Powell averaged 21.8 points in 60 starts but was left off the All-Star roster. He was sent to Miami in a three-team deal in July. This weekend’s festivities will be held at the Clippers’ new Intuit Dome, and Powell will also compete in Saturday’s Three-Point Contest.
“I really thought I’d be an All-Star last year with the team, and it didn’t happen,” he said. “Moves are made, and then the venue is actually where you just got traded from and you get selected to be one and go back there. I think it’s just a nice little Easter egg to the story of my career.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
