The NBA offseason just got a lot spicier with a three-team trade involving the Miami Heat, the LA Clippers, and the Utah Jazz. The Heat got Norman Powell, the Clippers got John Collins, and the Jazz got Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and a 2027 second-round pick from LA.
Now, let’s take a look at how these players performed last season. Powell had a monster year with the Clippers, averaging 21.8 points per game on 48.4% shooting and 41.8% from three-his best season ever-while starting all 60 games he played in.
Collins dealt with injuries while playing for the Jazz, appearing in just 40 games. Still, he recorded 13 double-doubles, averaging 19 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 52.7% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range. Love, a 17-year veteran, has been a role player lately. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 games for Miami last season and hasn’t started 20+ games since 2021.
How the Trade Breaks Down and Will Love Play with LeBron Again ?
Per ESPN sources, the trade sends Powell, 32, to Miami after his career-best run. The 6-foot-4 guard shot 42% from three last year and is a tireless worker, making him a great fit for the Heat’s culture. He’s in the final year of a $20.4 million contract, with a possible three-year, $77.4 million extension on the table.
Collins, 27, heads to LA, bringing his 6-foot-9 frame and athletic flair. He averaged 19 points and 8.2 rebounds in his 40 games with Utah, and his $26.5 million deal also wraps up this season. The Clippers, hesitant to tie Powell down long-term, gain some breathing room with Collins’ expiring contract.
Utah lands Love and Anderson, Love averaged 6.7 points in 25 games with Miami last year, as well as the 2027 pick, which bolsters their rebuild. Love is likely to negotiate a buyout with Utah and enter the free agency market. Don’t be surprised if he ends up with the Lakers, joining his good friend and former Cleveland teammate, LeBron James, with whom he won the 2015-16 championship. At $4.1 million, Love is a steal for any contender in need of veteran leadership.
What This Means for Each Team
For the Heat, Powell’s arrival is a lifeline after trading Jimmy Butler to the Warriors last season and getting swept by the Cavs in the playoffs. They needed a scorer bad-ranking 24th in points per game and losing three-point king Duncan Robinson this summer. Powell’s a perfect fix, joining Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, and Bam Adebayo to form a solid base, though they’ll likely keep sniffing around for more trades.
The Clippers score big with Collins, a top-notch defender and three-point threat-stuff they craved in last year’s postseason. He’ll mesh with Harden and Leonard, adding juice to the frontcourt with Zubac. After a 50-32 season, LA’s reloaded with Leonard, Harden, Batum, Brook Lopez, and Collins keeps them flexible for 2027 cap space. This trade’s a game-changer: Miami gets a shooter, LA bolsters its lineup, and Utah stacks future pieces. The 2025-26 season’s looking wild already!
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