Heat predicted to lose $90 million All-Star free agent to Celtics, Pistons or Raptors

Mar 21, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and head coach Joe Mazzulla discuss a play against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat recently pulled off a blockbuster trade for future Hall of Fame power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, but president Pat Riley still has a lot of work to do to turn this team into a contender.

With free agency on the horizon, Riley will be tasked to fill out the Heat's roster with players who fit alongside Giannis and center Bam Adebayo. Miami also has to make a decision on the future of its lone unrestricted free agent, guard Norman Powell.

Powell is coming off one of the best seasons of his career in 2025, as he earned his first All-Star selection and averaged 21.7 points per game on 38% from three.

Though the Heat would love to have Powell back and pair his elite shooting with Antetokounmpo, ESPN's Shams Charania believes it's unlikely that the veteran returns to Miami.

"We can probably take Norman Powell off this starting 5. The Heat are expecting him not to be there this offseason," Charania said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show this week.

With Powell likely to play elsewhere in 2026, a few Eastern Conference contenders could show interest in the 33-year-old sharpshooter.

Heat predicted to lose Powell to Celtics, Pistons or Raptors

Pro Football Network's Cooper Kleinberg lists the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors as the top landing spots for Powell.

"Norman Powell has remained one of the most underrated scoring guards this decade. Unfortunately, there aren’t many teams able to offer him the contract he deserves. The veteran’s best bet is to take a short-term deal with a team in need of scoring," Kleinberg wrote.

The Celtics could trade All-Star forward Jaylen Brown in the coming weeks, and if they do, Powell would be a solid replacement. Though Powell doesn't have the two-way ability Brown does, the UCLA product has a ton of playoff experience and would add even more shooting to a Boston squad that could use extra offensive firepower.

After trading Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Pistons have one of the best cap situations in the league and are in a position to make a major splash move. Detroit's inability to consistently hit threes and stretch the floor was one of the primary reasons for its second-round playoff exit to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Powell would immediately fix that issue and form a dynamic backcourt duo with Cade Cunningham.

The Raptors could also be looking for backcourt help this summer, and pursuing a reunion with Powell would give Toronto an efficient scorer to pair with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Powell spent the first five and a half seasons of his career with the Raptors and was a key part of their 2019 championship.

Overall, Miami should do all they can to retain Powell, but the 6-foot-3 shooting guard is due for a pay raise, and the Celtics, Pistons, or Raptors could give him that.