Leverage is critically important in any negotiations—NBA extension talks included. When players aren't the kind of load-bearing mega-talents worthy of a blank check, franchises must carefully monitor the money involved and guard themselves against getting overexposed.
That's why so much has already been written about the Miami Heat's need to exercise caution in extension talks with Tyler Herro. That was, of course, easier said than done when the 25-year-old was one of their only hopes for competence on the offensive end.
That's what made the Norman Powell pickup so vital. Beyond being one of the obvious steals of the offseason, he is a viable scoring threat from the off-guard slot, meaning Miami no longer has to think of the position in Herro-or-bust terms.