The Chicago Bulls have been one of the most active teams in the league since the offseason started. They added Nic Claxton in a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves. They drafted Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain in the first round. They signed a bunch of undrafted guys: Donovan Atwell, Jaylin Sellers, Houston Mallette, Tobe Awaka. But they might not be done.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Bulls are among the teams expected to go after Norman Powell when free agency opens. Powell is a 33-year-old shooting guard who just put up 21.7 points a game for the Heat. He shot 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. Over his career, he’s a 39.6 percent shooter from deep. That kind of efficiency would help any team, but especially one that just got called out for lacking shooting.
Bulls need shooting and veteran presence
ESPN’s Bobby Marks said ahead of the draft that Chicago’s biggest needs were shooting and frontcourt depth. The draft picks and undrafted signings addressed some of that, but those are young guys. The Bulls have one of the youngest rosters around right now. Powell would bring 10 years of NBA experience and the kind of scoring punch that doesn’t need plays called for him. He can just catch and shoot or attack closeouts.
Miami owns Powell’s full Bird rights and isn’t in terrible cap shape. But the Heat have other priorities this summer, and keeping Powell might not be the top one. A short-term deal around two years and $50 million would keep his salary tradeable and give Miami flexibility. But that might not be enough to keep him from leaving.
The Bulls have roughly $26 million in cap space. That gives them room to make a real offer. If Powell signs somewhere else, Chicago still has Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton from the trade deadline. Simons averaged 15.2 points in six games but dealt with injuries. Sexton put up 17.5 points across 26 games. Both are younger than Powell, but neither has his shooting consistency or playoff experience.
Powell has been a career reserve who stepped into a bigger role in Miami and thrived. He’s not a star, but he’s the kind of guy who can stabilize a second unit or even start on a team that’s still figuring out its identity. That’s exactly where the Bulls are right now.
Chicago isn’t talking like a rebuilding team. They want to compete for at least a play-in spot next season. Adding a veteran who can knock down threes and guard multiple positions would go a long way toward that. Whether Powell sees it the same way is the real question.
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