MIAMI — The Miami Heat won Monday’s three-team NBA trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz, and it isn’t open to debate. Pat Riley sat at the poker table (picturing him in dark shades) and never smiled once until he stood up with all of the chips and a needed reminder of that familiar old mojo.

The godfather is still around, still able to pick your pocket.

This isn’t a whale-sized deal, no. Not close to that. Fans judging the Heat’s offseason on a scale of Kevin Durant (who was traded to Houston) or Giannis Antetokounmpo might be unimpressed by Miami landing Norman Powell, who is coming off a career year but nobody’s superstar.

You wanted a blockbuster trade, you didn’t get it. But you got the Heat’s most significant move of what had been a quiet offseason.

You wanted a big splash, you didn’t get it. But you got more than a ripple. You got a wave big enough for the carry the Heat forward in a crowded Eastern Conference.

Miami has lately been stuck in the purgatory of the play-in tournament, where the also-rans must prove they belong in the playoffs.

I see adding Powell to provide much-needed offensive firepower a move big enough to perhaps lift the Heat to a team that can compete for a top-four spot in a conference wide open after the co-favorite Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.

That might be optimistic, but optimism isn’t a bad thing. And also something Heat fans have been hungry for lately.

Powell, a late-blooming 32-year-old shooting guard/small forward, was one of only six NBA players last year to average at least 21 points (he was 21.8), with at least 48% shooting from the field and 40% on 3-points shots. He has averaged 42% on 3’s since 2021 — more than ably replacing Duncan Robinson, who left in free agency in a sign-and-trade with Detroit.

Powell is not a renowned for his defense, but his quickness, shot-creating off the dribble and threat from deep are what Miami needed most.

A starting five of Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Kel’el Ware can win in the wild, wild East. A bench led by Nikola Jovic, Davion Mitchell, Haywood Highsmith, Jaime Jacquez Jr., Simone Fontecchio (here in the Robinson deal) and new No. 1 draft pick Kasparas Jakucionis looks solid.

Still no superstar, but a good blend of experience and ascending youth in the hands of an excellent coach in Erik Spoelstra makes this a team that can compete to win a playoff round, at least. And a team better with Powell’s add offensive punch.

What I like about this trade isn’t just getting Powell, but also Miami divesting of dead wood in Kyle Anderson, an end-of-rotation guy, and Kevin Love, who seems to have one sneakered foot in retirement. (Terry Rozier now leads the team in the dead wood department.)

Trading away two players to get one also is a plus for Miami, which is now one below the 15-man regular season roster maximum. There isn’t much salary-cap space left to pursue a big name who might become available, like Bradley Beal or a rehabbing Damion Lillard, so has the Heat become a championship contender? No.

But Miami’s rotation, as is, makes this a better team than the one that got bounced badly by Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs.

After that embarrassment, you don’t turn down improvement, you count it as a win.

Better is good.

____

©2025 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.