Ira Winderman: Powell vs. Portis shows dual Heat truths can be correct
MIAMI — Norman Powell wasn’t wrong. He was right. There was a means where the Heat could have brought him back while also bringing in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Miami Heat weren’t wrong. They were right. As the Giannis negotiations continued in June, there was an at-all-costs reality to the process. So, yes, both truths can be correct. But, ultimately, there only was one answer. To review: In ...
In a recent interview, Norman Powell clarified the dual truths surrounding his decision to leave the Miami Heat for the Chicago Bulls in free agency. Powell maintained that there was no offer from the Heat, while also acknowledging that a pathway was available for his return to the team. This was due to a crucial factor in the negotiations with the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo – Bobby Portis Jr.'s inclusion in the deal.
For the Bucks, retaining Portis, who was set to earn $14.5 million this season, made sense, along with a player option for $15.6 million in 2027-28. This move prioritized offloading Portis, who was earning less than $22.5 million annually from Damian Lillard, whose injury plagued tenure with the team was evident.
The salary scenario for Powell with the Heat could have been similar to his current Bulls contract, even with the hard cap in place. If the Heat had excluded Portis from the Giannis deal and forewent Tim Hardaway Jr.'s $6.1 million contract, the salary available to Powell would have matched what he took from the Bulls.
The Heat's decision to include Portis, along with other players like Kasparas Jakucionis, Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and future draft picks, was a result of their hard cap constraints. In the end, while Powell felt slighted by the inclusion of Portis in the Giannis trade, he acknowledged that both his concerns and the Heat's decision were valid.
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