Report Links Heat Forward With Interest From Europe

The Miami Heat acquired Simone Fontecchio as part of the three-team deal that landed Norman Powell with the franchise.

According to Niko Yenibayrak of Sports Digitale, the Heat could choose to waive Fontecchio. If Miami did choose to part with the 29-year-old forward, it would likely be to duck under the luxury tax.

According to Yenibayrak, the Turkish team Fenerbahce is monitoring the situation.

“Simone Fontecchio may be waived by the Miami Heat,” Yenibayrak reported via X, with the post being translated. “The Heat are considering waiving the player to avoid the luxury tax. Fenerbahçe Beko is closely monitoring the situation of the Italian star, whose potential return to Europe is emerging.”

Fontecchio entered the NBA in 2022, signing with the Utah Jazz. He’s also spent time playing for the Detroit Pistons. In his 193 regular-season NBA games, Fontecchio has averaged 7.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He’s shot 41.9% from the field and 36.3% from deep.

If the Heat did choose to waive Fontecchio, they would then have two open roster spots that would need to be filled in the coming months.

Heat’s Bam Adebayo Please With Powell Addition

Despite Fontecchio’s uncertain future, it appears that members of the Heat’s roster are pleased with the addition of Powell.

During his annual youth basketball clinic, Bam Adebayo spoke to the media in attendance. During his discussion, he shared his excitement to have Powell join the franchise.

“It’s a very good shake-up for our team and now there’s a different dynamic to it,” Adebayo told Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. “…I feel like Norman is one of those guys who floats under the radar. But as you saw this year, he’s really shown that he can be an All-Star caliber player. You’ve seen what he’s done and you’ve seen him grow in this league. And, obviously, he wants to take the next challenge. Obviously, the next challenge is being with the Miami Heat. So I’m happy to have him.”

Powell enjoyed a strong season for the LA Clippers during the 2024-25 campaign. He averaged 12.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per outing, shooting 41.8% from deep and 48.4% from the field.

Powell Has Begun The Acclimation Process

Powell is currently in Boca Raton with the Jamaican national team. When speaking with Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, Powell detailed why he’s happy to be getting a head start on adjusting to life near his new base of Miami.

“It’s getting me acclimated,” Powell said. “It has been amazing to be welcomed here…Being here in South Florida, checking into the hotel, people already know who I am and welcome me and are excited about me being on the Heat.”

Powell continued.

“It’s been amazing…Being traded to the Heat, being so close to where I’ll be playing, and being able to go down there and go to the facility, look for a place to stay. … It’s definitely cool.”

Powell will likely have a big role to play for the Heat next season. His scoring ability and tertiary playmaking will help lighten the load for Tyler Herro. Furthermore, his elite three-point shooting will plug the gap left by Duncan Robinson‘s exit. However, it’s unlikely that Powell’s addition alone will position the Heat as a contending team.

Fortunately for Pat Riley, he has until February 5, 2026, to continue looking for ways to improve the roster.

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