The Chicago Bulls acquired Norman Powell on a two-year, $45 million deal Wednesday in free agency, per ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania. The contract has a team option in year two, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Just in: Free agent Norman Powell has agreed to a two-year, $45 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. Powell joins the Bulls as a potent scorer after an NBA All-Star season in Miami, averaging nearly 22 points over the last two years. pic.twitter.com/7cFk2zFxpD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
We'd expected any Norman Powell-Chicago pact to be a short-term, balloon-style deal similar to what Bruce Brown signed with Indiana a few years back. And Powell's two-year, $45 million Bulls contract indeed has a team option in Y2.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 1, 2026
More @TheSteinLine: https://t.co/fdgvU4oarv
With the addition of Powell, the Bulls may have just added the missing piece to the roster puzzle.
Powell can come in and contribute right away
The last two regular seasons (2024-25 and 2025-26), Powell averaged above 20 points per game. He averaged 21.8 points in 60 games and 21.7 points in 58 games, respectively.
In the 2025-26 regular season, he shot 47% from the field and 38% from three.
If Powell can bring this scoring and shooting to Chicago, he can come into the starting lineup and contribute instantly to a team that needed better scorers.
Powell, who is entering his 12th season in the league, will bring a veteran presence to a team that features a core of younger players. This can help the team in tight on-court situations and in the locker room.
If the Bulls are struggling during games, his experience may help them turn momentum in their favor.
He can help this younger guard on the roster
The Chicago Bulls selected 20-year-old Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 pick in the draft. In his 2025-26 collegiate season, Swain averaged 17.3 points per game on 54.2% shooting from the field.
By acquiring Powell in free agency, Swain can now learn from the successful veteran.
If Powell continues to play in 50-60 games, Swain could have opportunities to start in Powell's place. This will be huge during his rookie season. He will get starting experience early, and the Bulls will get a chance to see what he can bring to the starting lineup.
Given that this is a shorter contract, the Bulls can provide Swain with a learning opportunity while giving him a chance to take over the starting role fairly quickly.
Overall: He was the right addition
Powell may set the example for younger players like Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson, particularly guards like Swain and Josh Giddey.
The Bulls very likely could have gotten an offensive boost in the short and long run with his ability to contribute and help the younger players, especially Swain.
If the Bulls view Swain as a key future piece and a developmental project, Powell is the correct short-term pick-up. Adding a younger player in free agency on a longer deal may have hindered Swain's opportunities and development.
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