On the LA Clippers, Norman Powell was not a significant financial burden, mainly due to his production. Teams pay their best players in response to impact, and the Clippers were gladly willing to hold on to Powell's increasing contract, as they did for three and a half seasons.
The dilemma arose when Powell sought an extension, based on his desired price, but the Clippers were not willing to budge. Executive Lawrence Frank likely held firm on the bar he had in mind, and this may have been lower than what the former UCLA Bruin was expecting.
The only option for the Clippers was a trade, as the last thing, and worst-case scenario, would have been for an all-star talent like Powell to remain on the team throughout the final year of his contract and sign elsewhere, when LA could have received a promising talent in return.
Moreover, Powell's pursuit of a hefty extension was the burden he brought to the table, and the organization he recently joined, the Miami Heat, will have to start saving where they can to pay him after he inevitably has another career season.
This explains why the Heat traded one of their role players in a recent deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
The expense of Norman Powell could cost the Miami Heat other valuable players on their roster
Alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, two already-established All-Stars, Norman Powell will achieve the same trait, sooner or later. Despite being 32, Powell is still growing into his final form as one of the best, most efficient scoring wings in the NBA.
Because Powell has yet to reach his full potential, the Miami Heat will likely be forced to make trades and other roster moves to extend his contract, likely around the midpoint of the season. This is inevitable, as long as Powell does not suffer a significant injury.
Furthermore, a notable example is the Heat's latest move, trading Haywood Highsmith, the 6-foot-5, 28-year-old, and a second-round pick for just a second-round pick. This was basically a salary dump to cut a few corners, which helps Miami's front office pay Powell when the time is right.
This shows that even though he is not an all-star, he is still comparable to a 45-pound plate on the shoulders of the front office, forcing them to operate around him, which is something the Clippers focused on avoiding.