The Miami Heat's trade for the Los Angeles Clippers' Norman Powell is a direct outcome of their decision to deal Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors.
Heat’s Latest Blockbuster Trade Adds New Wrinkle to Jimmy Butler-Warriors Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz reportedly agreed to terms on a massive 3-team trade Monday morning, sending Norman Powell to the Heat and John Collins to the Clippers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
In exchange for Powell, the Heat shipped 5-time NBA All-Star and 2016 NBA champion Kevin Love to the Jazz along with Kyle Anderson and a future second-round pick.
By acquiring the Clippers' star guard, the Heat created a fearsome offensive backcourt with the 21.8-point scorer and first-time All-Star Tyler Herro. The Heat's newly-formed trio of Powell, Herro and 5-time All-Defensive Team selection Bam Adebayo could warrant status as a dangerous Big 3 pairing in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
With Powell's introduction, the Heat put together one more piece of the puzzle with regard to their drama-filled mid-season Jimmy Butler trade with the Golden State Warriors back in February, a deal that has proven to be bountiful.
"Worth considering, the Heat have flipped Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson and Kevin Love for: Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Kasparas Jakucionis, Andrew Wiggins," Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman shared via X on Monday afternoon.
"Plenty there to work with both on the court or for follow-up moves."
Whether the Heat intend to hang onto these remaining pieces heading into the 2025-26 campaign remains to be seen. Either way, the franchise's return in the aftermath of Butler's loud departure looks to have its perks.
For one, their 30-year-old wing and 2022 NBA champion with the Warriors, Andrew Wiggins, has been a name to watch on the trade market.
Wiggins has generated reported interest from teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, who could use a 3-and-D presence at the forward position to support the superstar tandem of Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
As for Davion Mitchell, the Heat were impressed with his play after he came over from the Toronto Raptors as a piece of the eventual 5-team trade centered around Butler.
The 6-foot-2 defensive-minded guard averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals while boasting a stellar 59.5% effective field goal percentage and a blistering 44.7% three-point percentage in 30 appearances with the team to close the 2024-25 regular season.
With the Heat's recent selection of Kasparas Jakucionis with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the team landed a player oozing with play-making talent. While he's gotten off to a slow start during the Heat's first two Summer League contests, the 6-foot-6 guard will have more opportunities to shine in the future.
Related: Warriors Could Eye Potential Buyout Target After Latest Blockbuster Trade
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
