Kendrick Perkins is challenging the Clippers for the Norman Powell trade that transformed Miami

A three-team trade from the Los Angeles Clippers with the Utah Jazz sending off Norman Powell that the Miami Heat was a critical error, according to ESPN Kendrick Perkins. The The Clippers landed a big man in John Collinswith eyes on Bradley Beal in free agency. Beal suffered a season-ending hip injury less than a month into the regular season.

Meanwhile, Powell and The Heat were without Bam Adebayo and improved with the score 4-2 before Adebayo’s return. An impressive start led Perkins to apologize to the Heat organization on ESPN’s NBA Today.

“I slept on the Heat. I’d like to apologize. I slept on them. I didn’t expect them to make this much noise. But I have to point out Norman Powell and how the Clippers dropped the ball by trading him and what he’s doing right now, especially with Tyler Hero out,” Perkins said. “He’s basically become their number one option. He does that consistently.”

“He averaged a career-high 24 points last year and was knocking on the All-Star door. And now he’s embraced this Heat culture. The culture has embraced him, and now we’re seeing him have a career year in points per game,” Kendrick Perkins concluded.

“I was sleeping on the Heat, I’d like to apologize … I have to point out Norman Powell and how the Clippers dropped the ball.”

Kendrick Perkins on Miami’s season opener 🔥

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/GiKSKPokp2n

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 20, 2025

Norman Powell is averaging 25.4 points on 49.5% shooting, including 47% from deep, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game for the Heat this season. His 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting, including four 3-pointers, led the way in a 110-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors. In his return from injury, Adebayo finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Miami is 9-6, with the sixth best record in the Eastern Conference.

Bam Adebayo on his return in the Heat’s win against the Warriors

Heat center Bam Adebayo discussed his return from a toe injury that sidelined him for six games. After the Heat’s win against the Warriors, Adebayo talked to his teammates about getting back on the floor.

“I felt good, man, I was just trying to find my rhythm, I’m not overdoing it,” Adebayo said. “Let the play come to me, and it’s at one point. And, you know, that’s the biggest thing in the game. The way we play, the ball will always find you if you have good intentions and if you make the right reads.”

The Heat will face the Bulls on Friday.