(104.3 The Score) The Bulls have added much-needed shooting and addressed one of the biggest holes on their roster.
All-Star shooting guard Norman Powell and the Bulls have agreed on a two-year, $45-million deal, Shams Charania of ESPN reported Wednesday morning. The second year of the contract is a team option, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network reported.
The 33-year-old Powell earned All-Star honors for the first time last season, when he averaged 21.7 points for the Heat. He gives the Bulls the type of shooting that they desperately needed, as he shot 38.0% on 3-pointers on high volume last season. He’s a 39.6% 3-point shooter across his 11-year NBA career.
Powell will immediately slot in as the Bulls’ starting shooting guard and be an offensive hub for them in a starting lineup that needed scoring punch. The nature of his contract – with the Bulls only tied to him for one year if they like – means that Chicago should have roster-building flexibility next offseason.
As it sits now, the Bulls’ projected starting five is Josh Giddey at point guard, Powell at shooting guard, Matas Buzelis at small forward, rookie Caleb Wilson at power forward and recently acquired Nic Claxton at center. The Bulls still have the room exception to use in free agency and could look to make a trade as well, so nothing is set in stone yet as free agency continues to play out.
Powell was a second-round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Bulls will be the fifth team of his NBA career. He has averaged at least 16.0 points per game every season since 2019-'20.
