The Chicago Bulls reportedly have one of the best shooters in the Eastern Conference on their free agent target list.
NBA free agency fast approaches, with the official free agency negotiation period beginning on June 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT. The Chicago Bulls will still have plenty of salary cap space to work with, even after adding a pair of 1st round rookies in Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, and trading for center Nic Claxton. Reports indicate they could finally be looking for some veteran talent to round out the roster.
Of course, with a new front office regime, head coach and a roster that will need to be shaped in their vision, the Bulls could go in any number of directions with their salary cap space. Many expected the Bulls to accept large contracts that teams were looking to get rid of, receiving draft compensation in the process.
Chicago was involved in such a deal in the three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets. But rather than eat Julius Randle's contract in exchange for picks, the Bulls snuck into the deal to help facilitate while extracting some value in the form of the two years left on Claxton's deal.
Some would look at Claxton as a negative asset with roughly $44.4 million over two years left, but Claxton steps into Chicago as their best rim-protector. His production has fallen off a bit due to injuries, but this is a lottery ticket for the Bulls to see if he can regain his past form. If it doesn't work out, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham can simply let him walk.
With approximately $30 million or so left in space, a report from HoopsHype's Mike Scotto indicated the Bulls have strong interest in Miami Heat guard Norman Powell.
Powell is coming off of arguably the strongest season of his career, which led to his first All-Star appearance (as an Eastern Conference reserve). Last season, Powell averaged 21.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG and shot 38% from the 3-point line on 7.1 attempts per game from deep.
It's impossible to talk about rookies who haven't played an NBA minute yet with certainty, but with what we expect Wilson and Swain to do--and that's get downhill and into the paint often--then Powell is about as clean of a fit as you could find.
To end his season in Miami, Powell received a meager 19 minutes as the Heat lost 127-126 in overtime to the Charlotte Hornets in the Eastern Conference Play-In 9 vs. 10 game. He scored 11 points on 55.6% shooting from the field. Powell gives effort on defense but is a player who you want on the floor because of his offense and shooting, to be more specific. It's possible Miami felt that Powell's skill-set simply wasn't what they needed in the moment, but no doubt a lack of playing time in an elimination game could be enough to nudge Powell to a new destination.
The chances of Powell being retained in Miami are complicated greatly by the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the Heat now have over $107 million per tied up between their top two players (Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo).
Only time will tell, but Chicago appears to be the best destination to provide Norman Powell with the perfect mixture of guaranteed playing time, a decent payday and the chance to play with up-and-coming talent.
