Despite having a breakout year, Jamaican NBA Champion Norman Powell says he’s unsure if his future lies with the Miami Heat as he enters free agency.

Powell is expected to be one of the most sought after players this summer as his contract with the Heat expires following the completion of the playoffs.

The 32-year-old guard, who was traded to Miami from the Los Angeles Clippers last year, proved to be one of the best players in the league, averaging nearly 22 points a game, becoming the team’s leading scorer.

He also secured his first All-Star selection, making him just the 12th player to earn the honour while representing the franchise, joining the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

However, the Heat missed the playoffs after exiting in the play-in tournament with a loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Powell also saw his role reduced, coming off the bench in five of his final seven games after a groin injury.

Although being one of the team’s best players this season, Powell says there’s no guarantee that he’ll return when NBA free agency begins in July.

“I’m not sure. I’m going to talk to my agent (and) I know my agent’s going to talk to (general manager) Pat (Riley) in the front office and figure those things out,” he said.

“I’ll connect with my agent sometime next week and figure out how those conversations went and then we’ll start the game plan from there, what free agency looks like and what the next couple weeks look like for me.”

Regardless of his or the Heat’s decision, Powell says he will always treasure his time with the franchise.

“I enjoyed my time here in Miami, I’ve always wanted to play for the Heat. I thought it was a good year for me in spite of the injuries and some of the setbacks and stuff like that. But I enjoyed my time, I enjoyed the staff and my teammates and everything that came along with the season,” he said.

“I thought we had a great time off the court, really bonding and being able to joke around and things like that. That’s the most important part about the season is the bonds and stuff that you make. Every season there’s only one champion, so it’s all about the memories and things that you make and the ups and downs and going through it.”

Powell says he plans to take his mind off the gruelling NBA season and focus on other things including playing for Jamaica this summer.

“Right now it’s just decompressing, relaxing, getting some time to spend with my family and then getting right back into it sometime at the end of next week or the beginning of the week after that because I have some other stuff I got to take care of with the national team and things like that for qualifying. So there won’t be too much time off before I start getting back on the court and working.”

Powell is expected to return to the national team for their crucial FIBA World Cup Qualifying matches against Canada and Bahamas in July.

Jamaica needs to win at least one of those matches to secure passage into the final round of qualifying where they will seek to book their spot at next year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Jamaican guard Norman Powell dons the Miami Heat colours for the first time during NBA media day on Monday, September 29, 2025.

POWELL…I have some other stuff I got to take care of with the national team and things like that for qualifying (Photo: AFP)