Despite being only 26, Norman Powell’s acquisition by the Miami Heat signaled a clear intent to compete right away. Powell is heading into the final year of his contract, giving the Heat an option to part ways next summer if things don’t pan out during the 2026 season.
To stay competitive while keeping future flexibility, Miami might pursue a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber addition. According to a ClutchPoints prediction, the Heat could ship out Terry Rozier in exchange for Marcus Smart in a deal with the Washington Wizards.
“Smart has endured a difficult past two seasons, playing in just 54 games combined during that span. But when healthy, he’s shown flashes of being the lockdown 3-and-D guard he’s been throughout his career,” the article shared.
Smart, like Powell, is entering the final year of his four-year, $77 million contract, making the deal low-risk in the long run. The Heat used similar reasoning when they acquired Powell from the Clippers.
Though investing in an injury-prone veteran carries some risk, Smart’s defensive impact—when healthy—could be significant. Meanwhile, Rozier hasn’t been delivering on either end of the court.
It’s likely Miami would need to include a draft pick to persuade Washington to make the swap, but the potential upside for the Heat makes it a gamble worth considering.
