Powell signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Chicago Bulls in free agency this summer.
One of the most surprising additions to the Chicago Bulls' roster this summer was veteran guard Norman Powell. The 33-year-old was named to his first All-Star team last year with the Miami Heat, but is significantly older than many of the other players on the rebuilding Bulls.
After the Heat acquired two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami could no longer afford Powell, allowing Bulls lead executive Bryson Graham to swoop in. He signed Powell to a two-year contract worth $44 million, with a team option following the 2026-27 season.
Since Powell doesn't fit the timeline of the Bulls' rebuild and is on a favorable contract, many NBA analysts and insiders have speculated that Chicago will look to trade the veteran guard for future draft capital at the midseason deadline. While that may or may not happen, Graham had another reason for signing Powell this summer.
In a new video shared on social media, Graham spoke about the veteran presence that Powell can provide for several of the Bulls' young players.
"It was big for us to add some good veteran players," Graham said. "I just love everything that Norman's about because he can speak to every single player on this team. Whether it's, 'I was in the G League,' or he can speak to a player that's aspiring to be an All-Star, that type of knowledge and work ethic would be important for our guys to see and apply it to themselves.
Jan 22, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) shoots a jump shot during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images Powell was a second-round pick for the Toronto Raptors in 2015 and originally began his career with the franchise's G League affiliate, Raptors 905. He quickly worked his way up to the NBA and was a key contributor off the bench when Toronto won the NBA Finals in 2019.
The Raptors traded Powell to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021 and he was traded again a year later, this time to the Los Angeles Clippers. It was in L.A. that Powell placed fourth in the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year voting in consecutive years before breaking out in 2024-25.
As a full-time starter for the Clippers, Powell averaged a career-high 21.8 points per game while shooting 48.4% from the floor and 41.8% from three-point range. Los Angeles dealt Powell to the Heat and he put up similar stats to earn his first career All-Star nod at age 32. Last season, Powell averaged 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 47.0% shooting and 38.0% on threes.
Powell isn't the only veteran that Graham brought in. He re-signed center Zach Collins, traded for center Nic Claxton, and on Saturday, Graham acquired guard Buddy Hield in a deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
The Chicago Bulls are set to begin training camp on Tuesday, Sep. 29. Powell will suit up for the Bulls for the first time on Wednesday, Oct. 7, when Chicago hosts the Phoenix Suns in a preseason bout.
