Heat Acquire Norman Powell, Clippers Get John Collins in 3-team Swap; Paolo Banchero Signs $287 Million Extension in Orlando

Cover photo: Norman Powell, then of the Los Angeles Clippers, handling the ball in 2024. On Monday July 7, Powell was traded to the Miami Heat in a three-team trade that sent forward John Collins from the Utah Jazz to the Clippers. Photo credit: Juan Ocampo, 2024 NBE and Getty Images.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, and Miami Heat completed a three-team trade on Monday that was highlighted by Norman Powell and John Collins. Powell heads to Miami, Collins heads to the Clippers, and the Jazz are receiving Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and a 2027 2nd round pick. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the deal. 

Anderson is owed $9.2 million and $9.7 million over the next two seasons and Love is unrestricted after his $4.2 million in 2025-26, so for the Jazz this is a deal to shed Collins’ $26.5 million expiring salary and create more opportunity for the likes of fifth-overall draft choice Ace Bailey and second year player Kyle Filipowski. 

For the Clippers and Heat, this is a deal that makes both of them better immediately, the Clippers at forward and the Heat at the off-guard position.

Although the Clippers lose Powell and his 21.8 points per game (48.4%), they gain a soon-to-be 28-year-old in Collins who averages near a double-double (18.9 points, 8.2 rebounds) and gives the Clippers front-court athleticism that they had lacked by starting Nicolas Batum in the four spot. Though Batum gave them clutch shooting, it is more ideal to have a player like Collins who can play inside-out alongside center Ivica Zubac. Collins, with Kawhi Leonard at the one forward, right away gives the Clippers a strong front-court. The Clippers will miss Powell’s scoring and defense but have resigned James Harden and retain defensive ace Kris Dunn to complete their back-court and also acquired Brook Lopez to backup Zubac and strengthen their bench. Zubac is coming off a career year in which he averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.

For the Heat, the deal is a no-brainer, giving up Love and Anderson for an impact player in Powell. The 32-year-old slides into the starting two-guard spot and forms a formidable pairing alongside Tyler Herro. Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, and 21-year-old Kel’el Ware is a dynamic front-court. Powell is not a star name, but had an argument to be an all-star in 2025 and will produce at a high level.

The Clippers, 50-32 in 2024-25, have made solid acquisitions so far this offseason to improve their roster, and are also rumored to have interest in soon-to-be free agent Bradley Beal, who would be a great add to their bench. 

The Heat finished eighth in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25 (37-45), but have improved their team in a major way with this Powell trade. Powell and Davion Mitchell is an exciting two-guard rotation. Mitchell is one of the top on-the-ball defenders in the league and Powell is strong on both ends.

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Magic Reach Extension with Banchero

The Orlando Magic reached a megadeal with their superstar forward on Monday, agreeing with Paolo Banchero on a five-year rookie max extension worth $287 million. 

Banchero, who will be 23 years old in November, played 46 games in 2024-25 and averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on 45.2% shooting. He is one of the bigger forwards in the league (6 foot, 10 inches and 250 pounds) who can handle the ball, shoot, and play inside. This is a major move for a Magic team that also has Jalen Suggs (24 years old), Franz Wagner (24 years old in August), and 27-year-old Desmond Bane. A nice core no doubt. The Magic finished seventh in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25 with a 41-41 record, but Banchero missed 36 games. Things are looking up for Magic not only for next season but for the future.