The Chicago Bulls are making waves in the 2026 offseason, and one name that's catching their eye is Miami Heat's seasoned guard, Norman Powell. With Miami's grip on Powell seemingly loosening, Chicago could be in the perfect position to swoop in.
The Bulls have already been busy, securing Nic Claxton through a savvy three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves. They've also been active in the draft, picking up Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain in the first round, alongside Kam Jones. Not stopping there, they've bolstered their ranks with undrafted free agents Donovan Atwell, Jaylin Sellers, Houston Mallette, and Tobe Awaka.
After the draft, ESPN's Bobby Marks highlighted the Bulls' need for shooting and frontcourt depth as they head into free agency. While Atwell, Sellers, and Mallette bring shooting prowess and Awaka adds size to the power forward spot, the Bulls are still on the hunt for seasoned players to round out their roster.
Enter Norman Powell. As reported by HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Bulls are in the mix for the 33-year-old guard.
Powell's stats from last season are nothing short of impressive, boasting averages of 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His shooting was particularly noteworthy, with a 47.0% field goal percentage and a 38.0% success rate from beyond the arc.
Plus, with a career three-point shooting percentage of 39.6%, Powell's offensive skills are undeniable.
Powell is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and while the Heat hold his full Bird rights and have some wiggle room under the tax and apron limits, keeping him might not align with their offseason priorities. A short-term deal, possibly around two years and $50 million, could keep his contract flexible for trades and maintain roster adaptability.
On the other hand, Chicago has about $26 million in cap space, allowing them to make a strong bid for Powell. Should Powell decide to go elsewhere, the Bulls have other youthful backcourt talents in Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton, who were picked up at the trade deadline.
Simons, despite an injury-shortened stint, managed to average 15.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Sexton contributed 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals over 26 games.
Nevertheless, Powell's efficient scoring and veteran leadership could be just what the Bulls need to guide their young squad towards a competitive edge, possibly securing a spot in the play-in tournament next season.
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