Norman Powell is gone from Miami, snatched up by the Bulls for a monster two-year, $45 million deal, but don’t think he’s forgotten his old team. Powell, fresh off the first All-Star season of his career, straight up believes the Miami Heat are title contenders with Giannis Antetokounmpo on board. That’s a bold take from a guy who just left, and it tells you everything you need to know about what’s brewing in South Beach.
The Move That Couldn’t Be Matched
Can you believe it? Team president Pat Riley pulled off a legitimate franchise-altering trade in the 2026 offseason, landing Giannis Antetokounmpo! This was a monumental move for Miami. The unfortunate part? Even with a generational talent like Giannis in the fold, they just couldn’t keep Powell. He was a tailor-made player, fitting like a glove with the current roster, especially with the new system centered around Antetokounmpo. But hard-cap restrictions bit them hard, meaning they couldn’t match the Chicago Bulls’ offer. Powell secured a sweet two-year deal worth $45 million, a contract the Heat simply couldn’t touch, especially with Giannis on the roster. It was a brutal miss for Miami, losing an All-Star who was just starting to shine.
“Generational Talent” and “Dawgs”
Despite missing out on playing alongside Giannis and Bam Adebayo, Powell isn’t salty about it. He’s happy to be in Chicago, sure, but he’s also genuinely hyped to see what his old squad does in the upcoming 2026-27 season. On a livestream with N3ON, Powell didn’t hold back his praise. “Anytime you get a generational talent like that, it automatically puts you into contention. He’s a generational player,” he declared about Giannis. Powell kept the compliments coming, highlighting the depth Miami built around their new superstar: “They got some dawgs. Shoutout my man D Mitch. ‘Off Night’ and Bam. They gonna be good. I’m excited to see how it all comes together.” He even gave a nod to another huge acquisition, confirming, “They signed Klay. That’s a good pickup for them. They made some good moves.” The man knows talent when he sees it, and he’s clearly impressed with the potential they’ve amassed. Andrew Wiggins is excited to reunite with Klay Thompson, too.
The East is Heating Up
So, with Giannis, Bam, Klay, D Mitch, and the rest of those “dawgs,” it’s no shock the rest of the NBA sees the immense potential in Miami. Giannis Antetokounmpo is projected to be the biggest game-changer for the 2026-27 season, and it’s easy to see why. The upcoming campaign is shaping up to be an absolute slugfest in the Eastern Conference, with the new-look Philadelphia 76ers, the defending champion New York Knicks, and the resurgent Indiana Pacers all ready to throw down. Miami, powered by Giannis, is right in the thick of it. Powell might be gone, but his belief in their title chances speaks volumes for what’s coming. Get ready, because the Heat are coming, and the East is going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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