The Miami Heat are heading into the 2025-26 season with redemption on their minds. Following Jimmy Butler’s departure to the Golden State Warriors, the team endured a difficult 2024–25 campaign, finishing with a 37-45 record and placing 8th in the Eastern Conference before being swept 4-0 by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.
Determined to bounce back, Miami was active during the offseason, making several key additions. Simone Fontecchio joined via trade with the Detroit Pistons, Davion Mitchell returned on a two-year deal, and most notably, Norman Powell arrived through a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Former Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24).© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Powell, coming off a solid run with the Clippers last season, is expected to bring in some scoring punch and defensive grit to Miami. As he prepares for his season debut with the Heat, the former UCLA Bruin revealed some major personal news.
Powell announced Monday that he and his girlfriend are expecting a baby, posting a series of photos of the couple holding a sonogram:
“New season, new chapter,” Powell captioned the post on Instagram. “Baby Powell loading… Our greatest dream come true, already loved beyond words. Excited for this beautiful journey ahead. We can’t wait to meet you ❤️.”
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The announcement instantly drew congratulations from peers across the league.
“Hell yeah congrats brotha,” wrote former NBA guard Terrence Ross.
“Yessir! Congrats fam,” former NBA forward Patrick Patterson said.
“Congrats brother,” Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam posted.
“Let’s goooo,” Heat guard Delon Wright added.
“Congrats!!” Clippers forward Patrick Baldwin remarked.
“congrats brodie!!!” Utah Jazz forward Kyle Anderson wrote.
Powell has always maintained a relatively low profile regarding his personal life, rarely sharing family details publicly. This announcement marks one of the few glimpses into his off-court world.
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While Powell prepares for a new chapter in his personal life, his attention will also shift to the basketball court as the Heat kickoff their season on the road against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. The 32-year-old joins a lineup featuring Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Tyler Herro, providing a much-needed scoring option and veteran presence for Miami. The Heat believe his two-way play will be vital in their bid to reestablish themselves as a top contender in the East.
Powell delivered a strong 2024-25 campaign with the Clippers, averaging a career-high 21.8 points per game. His impressive campaign helped Los Angeles reach the 5th seed in the Western Conference. Before joining the Clippers, Powell was a member of the Torronto Raptors team that won an NBA title in 2019.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.