Norman Powell is looking forward to a fresh start with the Miami Heat.
“They’ve talked about how much they’ve wanted me and liked my game throughout the years and they’ve tried to get me,” Powell told Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. “So to come to a place that values you and wants you here and understands what you bring to the table and wants you to be you, you can’t be upset or mad about that at all.”
Miami acquired Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers in July as part of a three-team trade that also involved the Utah Jazz.
The UCLA product said the news was shocking since he was coming off a career year and had been in talks with the Clippers’ front office about a potential contract extension.
However, Powell believes the Heat are a perfect fit for him.
“They’ve welcomed me with open arms,” Powell said. “I’m very excited about the opportunity. I’m very excited about the group that we have, I’m very excited about what they’re building.
“I think the Heat culture and what this organization is about is me to a tee. It’s exactly how I am. I’m built on competitiveness. I’m built on working. I’m built on the grind. That’s my motto, understand the grind. That’s my daily approach and I think I’m built for the Heat culture.”
Powell spent parts of the last four campaigns with the Clippers. The 32-year-old finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting twice during his tenure in L.A.
Powell averaged a career-high 21.8 points on 48.4% shooting last season in his first full year as a Clippers starter. His 41.8% clip from deep was the 17th-best mark in the Association.
Powell’s set to become a free agent next summer.
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