Norman Powell is reportedly headed to the Chicago Bulls on a two-year, $45 million contract, a splashy opening salvo on the first day of NBA free agency. The 33-year-old wing is coming off the best season of his career, including his first All-Star nod after averaging roughly 21.7 points per game, and now gives the Bulls a proven scorer and veteran perimeter threat. Chicago’s front office adds another experienced piece to pair with its young core as the team reshapes the roster this summer.
According to ABC7 Chicago, citing ESPN insider Shams Charania, Powell has agreed to a two-year, $45 million deal with the Bulls. That report has quickly circulated across national outlets as teams rush to lock in early free-agency business. For Chicago, it is a fast, aggressive move to secure veteran scoring around its younger pieces.
Powell’s production and how he fits
Powell averaged 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 58 games for the Miami Heat last season while shooting about 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. Basketball-Reference lists those marks and notes that Powell earned his first career All-Star selection in 2025-26. On a Bulls roster expected to lean on Josh Giddey and a group of young forwards, Powell profiles as the finishing wing who can ease the burden on primary ball handlers and provide quick-strike scoring in the halfcourt and in transition.
Why Miami could not keep him
Miami’s blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo left the Heat hard-capped at the league’s first apron, a financial squeeze that limited what the team could offer its remaining unrestricted free agents. The Miami Herald reports that this cap reality made it difficult for Miami to match the type of deal Powell reportedly received. His injury history and the fact that he played 58 games last season also figured into the Heat’s offseason calculations.
What this means for Chicago
The signing gives Chicago a veteran scorer who can start or come off the bench and immediately upgrade perimeter creation and spacing. The Bulls have been busy this offseason reshaping their roster, and national trackers have Powell penciled into a regular rotation spot alongside the team’s young core and recently added frontcourt help. Outlets grading free-agency moves and roster fits project Powell as a primary scoring option on nights when the Bulls need instant offense.
Details such as guarantees and any team options have not yet been fully disclosed in initial reports, and teams typically finalize contract paperwork with the league before announcing exact terms. For now, Powell’s arrival reads as a clear win for a Bulls group intent on adding veteran punch and ready-made scoring as the calendar inches toward training camp.
