The Bulls have made another notable swing in free agency, landing veteran guard Norman Powell on a two-year, $45 million deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reported that the second year is a team option.
Powell arrives in Chicago after another highly productive scoring season. The 33-year-old averaged 21.7 points while shooting 47.0 percent from the field and 38.0 percent from three-point range with the Heat.
He’s built a reputation as one of the league’s steadier offensive threats, and the Bulls are banking on that kind of reliability as they keep reshaping the roster around Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Chicago has already added newcomers Nic Claxton and Zach Collins, and Powell gives the group another proven veteran to lean on.
The Pistons were also connected to Powell before he chose the Bulls.
Golden State is also retaining a familiar face. The Warriors have agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract with free-agent guard De’Anthony Melton, Charania reported, with a player option included for the second season.
Melton’s year was interrupted by ACL surgery, but he still managed a career-best 12.3 points last season. He also chipped in 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals, showing the kind of two-way value that made him an attractive piece for the Warriors to keep. The move also leaves Golden State with more flexibility as it continues to monitor the LeBron James sweepstakes, with multiple reports saying the Warriors are still in the mix.
Orlando, meanwhile, is bringing back Jevon Carter on a one-year veteran minimum deal, according to Charania. Carter, 30, gave the Magic a boost after being released by the Bulls, averaging 7.2 points in 30 games and carving out a regular role in the rotation. Jalen Suggs next season.
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For Orlando, the loss stings a little more because this was not just a name on the end of the bench. Wagner was working his way back from a torn ACL, and the Magic had already been navigating their center rotation with Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze ahead of him, making his departure a reminder of how quickly a useful piece can disappear from the picture. The frontcourt is still intact, but one of the more dependable reinforcements the team could turn to is now gone. [Read more 🡒]