It didn't send any shockwaves across the league, but the Chicago Bulls' signing of Norman Powell was one of the shrewdest moves of this past offseason. Now, they can do the same thing with Kevin Porter Jr. — sign him and flip him for future assets.
Porter Jr. was released by the Milwaukee Bucks just ahead of this year's roster cut-down deadline. The 26-year-old is coming off a productive season in the Cream City in which he averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals in 33.2 minutes per game.
The Bulls could use anyone who can create a shot, and that’s where KPJ does his best work.
But just like Powell, it’s what he could allow Chicago to do in the front office, not on the court, that would be most impactful.
The Bulls' clever Norman Powell move should pay off at the trade deadline
In a brilliant piece of business, Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham signed Powell this summer to what is essentially an expiring contract in hopes that he would flourish in a scoring-starved guard rotation.
If all goes according to plan, the 33-year-old will be in demand at this year’s trade deadline and Chicago will deal him to a contender for a package of draft picks and/or young players.
The Bulls will enter the season with an open roster spot, presumably so Graham can take advantage of a team looking to shed salary and, in the process, acquire even more assets. If he signs Porter with the intent of flipping him like he should flip Powell, he would get the same result, just through a different method.
Signing Kevin Porter Jr. could be just as savvy as signing Powell
Just as Powell should thrive as a featured scorer on this roster, Porter could stand out as a smooth shot-creator and pesky perimeter defender. He would arguably be the Bulls’ best option to fill both of those roles.
Milwaukee didn’t let the former first-round pick go because of a lack of production — his 17.4 points per game were good for second on the team. He also finished second in total assists (280) and second in total steals (83) despite playing only 38 games.
After trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, the Bucks are in full rebuild mode and they have a deep, young guard group. Ryan Rollins, Brayden Burries, AJ Green, Kasparas Jakucionis and Tyler Herro are all higher on the pecking order. (They're also stuck with Gary Trent Jr.’s abnormally and controversially large contract.)
If Porter clears waivers, he would be eligible to sign with any team, but the Bulls could give him a larger guaranteed role and they have the cap space to pay him a little extra. A union between the two parties makes sense.
And if Graham can flip him at the deadline along with Powell? Then hand him another A+.
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