Dwyane Wade is one of Norman Powell’s mentors. (Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images)
The Miami Heat’s biggest splash of the offseason so far was adding guard Norman Powell, who wasn’t shy about his admiration for Dwyane Wade, the greatest player in Heat franchise history.
Here is what the 10-year veteran said last week during his first presser with the Heat.
“Hearing it was Miami, I was really excited. I’ve had a couple guys I’ve played with who played for the organization and said amazing things about the city, the fans, the organization,” Powell said. “Thinking back to my childhood, being a big fan of Dwyane Wade. Watching for the Heat. Wanting to play for the Heat … was a childhood dream. Definitely was a full circle moment for me.’”
For more on those quotes, click here!
Wade spoke about the move for the first time on his latest podcast on his latest podcast episode of Time Out with Dwyane Wade on the WY Network on Tuesday.
The Heat’s all-time leading scorer and three-time champion spoke glowingly about Powell’s fit with Miami, but he also recollected to the moment that he found out about the trade after seeing Powell in Europe earlier this summer.
“I was golfing. I come back and I got a text and [Norman Powell] was like, ‘Yo, big bro, I’m on my way. I’m going out to Miami dawg. I can’t wait to put a jersey on.’ And I’m like, ‘Who is this?’” Wade recalled. “Then I was like, ‘Oh it’s Norman!’ … I know how much inspiration he took from the player that I was. … It’s cool to have that connection. It’s a dream for him to put that jersey on because he grew watching one of his favorite players play in that jersey.
“You know how good Norman is … For the Heat to be able to get a player like that, with [Bam Adebayo] and [Tyler Herro] as No. 1-2 options, it’s like ‘Alright, let’s go!’”
“I was golfing. I come back and I got a text and [Norman Powell] was like, ‘Yo, big bro, I’m on my way. I’m going out to Miami dawg. I can’t wait to put a jersey on.’ … It’s cool to have that connection. It’s a dream for him to put that jersey on because he grew watching one of… pic.twitter.com/eLYYDEZGCF
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) July 16, 2025
That’s an awesome story from Wade — and it’s cool to see more players on the Heat who looked up to Wade, once upon a time. Only if we could get the Heat great back in the organization (dang Jazz!).
Powell, 32, had the best year of his career after Paul George flocked to Philadelphia, averaging 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on 41.8 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Powell is one of the best shooters in the NBA and should fit seamlessly in a Heat offense that’s been a bottom-third unit each of the last three years. He’s an excellent replacement for Duncan Robinson, who signed a three-year deal with the Detroit Pistons earlier this summer.
The 6-foot-4 guard can thrive in any role, and I’m expecting him to have a sizable role alongside Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins heading into the 2025-26 season.
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