The Miami Heat made waves this offseason with several unexpected roster changes, highlighted by their acquisition of Norman Powell. However, <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA 2K has adjusted Powell’s overall rating from 87 in NBA 2K25 down to 84 for the upcoming NBA 2K26, signaling a notable dip in his projected performance. This change in rating comes despite Powell’s impressive 2024-2025 season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Powell delivered a career-best year last season, posting 21.8 points per game with a remarkable 48.4 percent shooting accuracy from the field and 41.8 percent from beyond the arc. At age 31, he also contributed 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. His scoring pace before the All-Star break nearly earned him his first All-Star appearance, where he averaged close to 24 points per game.
Factors Behind Powell’s Lowered Projection
Despite his strong regular-season showing, Powell’s playoff output dipped. He averaged 16 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting 47 percent from the field and just 35 percent from three in the Clippers’ seven-game series loss to the Denver Nuggets. This playoff performance could have influenced NBA 2K’s decision to reduce his rating for the 2025-2026 season.
Additionally, the shift from the Clippers to the Heat entails different team dynamics and roles. Powell benefited from playing alongside elite playmaker James Harden with the Clippers, who shouldered a significant offensive load. Now, with Miami, expectations suggest Powell might face a more balanced role on a team predicted to hover around a .500 record.
Miami’s core group, including Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and head coach Erik Spoelstra, will need to integrate Powell effectively within their system. Powell is entering the final year of his contract and will be aiming to prove his value to secure a new deal with the Heat.
Miami Heat’s Roster Changes and Team Outlook
Beyond acquiring Powell, the Heat made several roster adjustments this offseason. They traded Haywood Highsmith and a second-round pick to alleviate luxury tax pressure, signed guard Dru Smith, moved Duncan Robinson for Simone Fontecchio, and drafted Kasparas JakuÄionis with the 20th pick. These moves indicate Miami’s intent to retool while managing financial flexibility and depth.
Powell’s role with Miami will unfold alongside teammates Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and new addition Andrew Wiggins. Herro and Adebayo will share offensive opportunities with Powell, who, after a career year with the Clippers, now faces the challenge of adapting to a new environment and system.
Comparing Bam Adebayo to Other Key Players
Bam Adebayo remains a cornerstone for the Heat, with expectations rising for his contributions next season. His all-around game draws comparisons to other elite players. NBA All-Star Jeff Teague recently discussed Adebayo’s unique skill set, stating,
“I just think Bam can go to another level that Evan Mobley can’t, just because his physicality,”
—Jeff Teague, NBA All-Star
“Bam can be Giannis [Antetokounmpo], in like a different kind of way. Evan Mobley’s more closer because of his arms and the way he’s built, but the way Bam move, like he can dribble and (bleep).”
—Jeff Teague, NBA All-Star
Adebayo’s 2024-2025 season averages were 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals, while Mobley, the Defensive Player of the Year, posted similar points and rebounds but with a different skill profile. In contrast, Giannis Antetokounmpo maintained his dominant all-around impact with 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.
Teague further emphasized Adebayo’s potential in comparison to Mobley, adding,
“Bam can do more, I think that’s probably the best we gonna see of Evan Mobley. He’ll probably become a better shooter, but his body type, he don’t have a Giannis build,”
—Jeff Teague, NBA All-Star
“His aggressiveness and the way he play just doesn’t mirror Giannis. He don’t move as fluid as Giannis.”
—Jeff Teague, NBA All-Star
What’s Next for Norman Powell and the Miami Heat?
With the new season approaching, the Heat’s challenge will be blending Powell’s talents with their existing core to maximize team success. Powell is coming off a career year and must prove he can maintain his productivity in Miami’s system while competing with established stars like Adebayo and Herro for offensive opportunities. How coach Erik Spoelstra manages rotations and roles will significantly impact Powell’s effectiveness and the Heat’s overall performance.
Powell’s lowered NBA 2K26 rating reflects some uncertainty about his adaptation to the Heat, but with a new contract on the line, he has strong motivation to demonstrate his continued value. Looking ahead, the moves Miami has made, including this high-profile acquisition, aim to keep the team competitive in a challenging Eastern Conference landscape.