Norman Powell mentioned he wished to stay with the Miami Warmth earlier than signing with the Chicago Bulls in free company, however he accepted the enterprise aspect of the NBA as Miami reshaped its roster round Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Did I wish to return to Miami? Yeah, I did,” Powell advised Chicago-based media in Las Vegas on Saturday, in line with Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “However clearly, it’s a enterprise. They made their selections and made their strikes and issues occur. And it’s what it’s.”
Powell joined the Bulls on a two-year, $45 million contract after spending the 2025-26 season with Miami, the place he emerged as one of many Warmth’s main scorers. The veteran guard averaged 21.7 factors, 3.5 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists in 58 video games, together with 52 begins, whereas taking pictures 47.0% from the sector and 38.0% from three-point vary.
His manufacturing made him a key a part of Miami’s offense throughout a season wherein the Warmth completed 43-39 and earned the No. 10 seed within the Jap Convention. Powell led the staff in scoring, forward of Tyler Herro at 20.5 factors per sport and Bam Adebayo at 20.1 factors per sport.
Powell additionally supplied environment friendly perimeter scoring, posting a 55.8% efficient area aim share whereas trying 7.1 three-pointers per sport. His means to create offense with out dominating possessions helped Miami stability a lineup that additionally featured Andrew Wiggins, Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Nonetheless, Miami’s offseason path modified dramatically after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Warmth despatched out Herro, Jaquez and Kel’el Ware as a part of the deal whereas prioritizing a brand new roster construction constructed round Giannis and Adebayo.
With the Warmth needing to handle long-term funds and protect flexibility for the 2027 offseason, Powell turned one of many veterans who moved on. Miami changed some perimeter scoring by signing Tim Hardaway Jr. and retained Simone Fontecchio, whereas persevering with so as to add youthful gamers by the draft and two-way contracts.
Powell mentioned he’s targeted on his new scenario in Chicago regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the second 12 months of his contract.
“I am going in each scenario eager to be the place I’m at and assist win,” Powell mentioned. “Trying on the enterprise of it, I’ve been round so lengthy that it crossed my thoughts. However I’m targeted on being within the second.”
The Bulls entered the offseason rebuilding round youthful gamers similar to Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and fourth overall pick Caleb Wilson. Chicago completed the 2025-26 season 31-51 and used its accessible cap area so as to add Powell as a veteran scoring choice alongside its creating core.
