The Chicago Bulls’ rough start has already pushed Norman Powell into the center of trade chatter.
At 1-6 and riding a five-game losing streak, Chicago looks a long way from the kind of jump it expected to make. That has sharpened the bigger question hanging over the season: keep trying to build around a playoff push, or start clearing the deck for a softer reset. For now, the signs point toward the second path, and Powell stands out as the most obvious name to watch.
According to insider Jake Fischer, Powell is a serious candidate to be moved before February’s deadline as the Bulls continue to slide in the standings. He’s 33, coming off his first All-Star season, and he’s been productive enough early this year to draw attention.
In seven games, Powell has averaged 20.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.9 steals while shooting 41.8% from the field. Chicago also has to navigate a contract wrinkle: Powell has a one-year, $22.5 million team option for 2027-28, and he can’t be traded until December 15th.
If the Bulls decide to move him, there should be interest. Three teams stand out as possible landing spots.
Miami is one of them. The Heat are off to a 2-5 start, and while Giannis Antetokounmpo has been excellent, the roster around him hasn’t provided enough scoring or depth.
Klay Thompson, Davion Mitchell, and Tim Hardaway Jr. have all struggled to settle in, and the lack of floor spacing has left the offense short on firepower. A deal would help, but Miami doesn’t have a ton of flexibility.
In the proposed framework, Chicago would get Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield, while Miami would land Powell.
The appeal for the Heat is straightforward: Powell gives them the kind of backcourt scoring punch they need. He also already has a history there, having played for the Heat last season during his first All-Star campaign. The question is whether Miami would be willing to part with enough to get him, especially since the team is unlikely to include a future first-round pick unless it’s for a more proven superstar.
Charlotte is another team that could make sense. After trading LaMelo Ball, the Hornets have shifted the focus toward Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, and they’re trying to build something around that new core.
But at 3-5, they still look like a team that needs more juice before it can make real noise. Powell would give them exactly that: a veteran wing who can space the floor and score on the perimeter.
The proposed deal sends Powell to Charlotte for Dennis Schroder and a 2032 first-round pick. The Hornets could also use someone like Grant Williams or Grayson Allen in a broader deal, but the main idea is the same - add a win-now piece and give the young core a more reliable third option.
For Chicago, Schroder isn’t a perfect Powell replacement, but he can provide some of the same perimeter and isolation scoring at a lower cost. The bigger draw is the pick, which would help the Bulls stockpile future assets.
Phoenix rounds out the list. The Suns are facing a difficult season, and Jalen Green has not delivered the kind of production they were hoping for.
He’s averaging 11.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 41.8% from the field, and a change of scenery could be in play. In the proposed trade, Chicago would receive Green, while Phoenix would get Powell and Isaac Okoro.
That would be a bold move for the Suns, but one that fits the urgency around the franchise. Powell would be a cleaner fit next to Devin Booker, and owner Mat Ishbia has made it clear he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the team moving in the right direction.
For Chicago, Green would bring upside and a fresh start. He wouldn’t be asked to carry the load immediately, and the Bulls could let him develop without the same pressure that comes with being a finished product.
With Josh Giddey, Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, and Nic Claxton in the mix, Green would have support around him if the Bulls went that route. Whether Chicago would actually move Powell for that package is still uncertain, but the market is starting to take shape, and Powell is clearly one of the biggest names worth watching before the deadline.
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