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 addressing his offseason shift from the Heat to the Chicago Bulls in free agency, Powell emphasized there never was an offer from the Heat, while also stressing there very much had been a pathway to his return. The pathway, however, also was the road block. For those confused, we’ll cut to the simple math. As part of Bucks’ controlling hand in the negotiations with the Heat over Giannis, a line in the sand was drawn even beyond the players and picks the Heat would have to sacrifice. That line was that Bobby Portis Jr. be included in the deal. For the Bucks, such an approach made greatest sense, with Portis, who turns 32 in February, under contract at $14.5 million this coming season, then with a player option for $15.6 million in 2027-28. For a team paying Damian Lillard $22.5 million a year over five years to not play for them (after he was waived and stretched while injured), offloading Portis stood as a priority. Which brings it back to Powell and his free agency and his eventual ire. Based on the $21.5 million Powell took from the Bulls for this coming season, the math, even with the Heat’s hard cap in place, clearly could have been there, even while taking on Antetokounmpo. If no Portis on the Heat books at $14.5 million this coming season, and if no signing of Tim Hardaway Jr. at $6.1 million for this coming season, then — Voila! — just about the same salary available to Powell with the Heat as what he took from the Bulls. That’s where it got somewhat ugly, with Powell mentioning how the Portis’ part of the Giannis process got in the way of his own intentions to return to the Heat, and then Portis taking it as somewhat of a slap that Powell raised his name. In both cases, each of the players was correct. Such is a reality of a salary-cap — and in the Heat’s current case, hard-cap — league that forces choices. The Heat’s choice was that if they wanted Antetokounmpo, they had to take Portis. They wanted Antetokounmpo; so they took Portis. Still, Powell’s consternation is not without merit. Legitimate merit. Say, for example, the Heat, which already had agreed to toss Kasparas Jakucionis into the Giannis deal as a Bucks must-have, drew the line there, a line of Jakucionis, Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2031 and ’33 first-round picks, a 2032 first-round swap and a 2033 second-rounder. Remember, Portis was separate math, taken into the Heat’s Duncan Robinson trade exception, essentially as a separate deal. The current reality is that with Portis, the Heat, at the moment, stand with a starting lineup of: Center: Bam Adebayo Power forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo Small forward: Andrew Wiggins Point guard: Davion Mitchell Shooting guard: TBD However, if Portis was not taken on as a plus-one in the Giannis deal, then quite likely a starting lineup of: Center: Bam Adebayo Power forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo Small forward: Andrew Wiggins Point guard: Davion Mitchell Shooting guard: Norman Powell. Related Articles
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Yes, Portis provides welcomed depth in a power rotation that otherwise, at the moment, only counts slow-footed Vlad Goldin on his two-way contract and Nikola Jovic, a power player who has insisted he is not a power player. Taken further, if the Portis/Hardaway money had gone to Powell in a non-Portis Heat world, then there would not be quite the same seeming desperation to invest much of the remaining cap cash on a Mavericks buyout with Klay Thompson. Yes, all hypothetical. Bobby Portis Jr. is a member of the Heat and is expected to be a valued member in reserve. And, yes, he has every right to feel slighted by those positioning him as a throw-in. But after reaching All-Star status for the first time in his career, after keeping the Heat afloat through the first half of last season while Herro was sidelined, Norman Powell need offer no apology for feeling slighted. In this case, both truths can be correct. IN THE LANE HEY, HAYWOOD: Apparently mid-August is Haywood Highsmith season. Last year, on Aug. 15, the Heat dealt Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets along with a 2032 second-round pick in a salary dump. Then, on Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns waived the former Heat forward in order to save $2 million against his $3 million 2026-27 salary. Then there is Monday’s 11:59 p.m. expiration of the $5.6 million trade exception the Heat hold for not taking a player back in that Highsmith swap with the Nets (the Heat received a conditional 2026 second-round pick from the Nets that did not convey, with it protected through the first 25 picks of the second round). Highsmith is now a free agent, after being limited to seven games last season, all with the Suns, after working back from last summer’s knee surgery. And, yes, the Heat would be able to re-sign Highsmith, 29, should they choose. STILL A FAN: As he continues to look for work, former Heat guard Gabe Vincent has made clear his affection for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, confident his former coach will make it work with Antetokounmpo. “They have their standards of what they do and then they change things as they go based on who they have,” Vincent said on the Numbers on the Board podcast. “He’s not going to make a work horse into a race horse, a plumber into an electrician. He’s going to find a place for you to do what you do. Spo has done a good job of that whether it’s the teams with the Big Three, the team where we had a run, or even this past season” WILD RIDE: A year ago, Ethan Thompson was among the surprises at the Heat’s training camp, with his Puerto Rican roots also making him a prime attraction during the Heat’s exhibition against the Magic in San Juan. From there, a solid start with the Heat’s G League affiliate led to a contract with the Pacers. Now, amid the harsh reality of NBA life for those on the fringes, Thompson is off to the security of a contract in Serbia, to play in the EuroLeague. Thompson, 27, had one year left on his Pacers two-way contract. By contrast, former Heat G League and summer standout Alondes Williams continues to push for something tangible in the NBA, at 27 accepting a Wizards Exhibit 10 camp invitation. Williams is out of two-way eligibility. Included in Williams’ efforts last season was a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Wizards against the Pacers. AN OPENING?: Former Heat guard Victor Oladipo, who has been working out in Miami in a group that includes Heat guard Davion Mitchell, remains hopeful of a door opening for an NBA return. Having been linked to possible interest by Sacramento, Oladipo spoke to Yahoo Sports of his comeback attempt and the retirement of Kings free-agent guard Russell Westbrook. “They’ve shown some interest,” Oladipo said of the Kings. “Time will tell. Let’s see how the teams are shaping up in the NBA. Things are getting closer to training camp. I think there’s some interest there. And the feeling is mutual.” Oladipo last played in the NBA in 2023 with the Heat, suffering a severe knee injury in the playoffs. Oladipo was Westbrook’s teammate with the Thunder in 2016-17. “I got to play with him in his MVP season and it was breathtaking to be, you know, just my locker was right next to his,” Oladipo said. “So to be in that environment with him and see him night in and night out, you know, just come and perform at the highest level possible, it was something that I’ll always remember and something that I always appreciate being part of.” NUMBER 2. Nationally televised games on the Bucks’ 2025-26 schedule (with both against the Heat) in the wake of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s move to the Heat, which ties the Nets, Kings, Grizzlies and Pelicans for fewest in the NBA. The Bucks had 13 nationally televised games last season. The Heat have 25 this season, with the Spurs, 76ers, Lakers and Knicks tied for a league-high 34 each. Also with more nationally televised games than the Heat are the Thunder (30), Nuggets and Warriors (28 apiece), and Celtics and Timberwolves (27 each).