Norman Powell Stuns NBA in 2026 Free-Agency Shake-Up: Bulls Snag All-Star Guard on $45M Deal

The Chicago Bulls have added proven fire-power to their backcourt, officially signing 2026 All-Star swingman Norman Powell to a two-year, $45 million contract that became official on July 10. Powell, 33, arrives after a career-best season with the Miami Heat that ended in his first All-Star appearance and an 83-point outburst that sent his market value soaring. Cap limitations prevented Miami from matching Chicago’s offer, leaving the Heat just $6.5 million under the first tax apron as free agency opened. “Everything starts with toughness and accountability,” Powell said when asked what he expects from the 2026-27 Bulls, adding that the roster “has to treat every practice like it’s Game 7.” That mindset is exactly what head coach Billy Donovan hopes will lift Chicago back into the upper tier of the Eastern Conference after consecutive play-in exits. Why the Bulls pounced • Elite scoring punch: Powell averaged 24.7 points on 48.9 percent shooting last year and ranked in the league’s top 10 in clutch efficiency. • Versatility on the wing: At 6-4 with a 6-11 wingspan, he defends both guard spots and smaller forwards, easing the load on defensive specialist Alex Caruso. • Veteran gravitas: A 2021 NBA champion, Powell becomes the Bulls’ only current All-Star, giving them a late-game creator they lacked after trading for young pieces at last February’s deadline. Fit alongside Chicago’s core Powell is expected to start next to point guard Coby White, pushing last season’s breakout rookie Jamal Bates into a sixth-man role. His downhill drives should open cleaner looks for Patrick Williams on the weak side while creating pick-and-pop synergy with stretch-five Nikola Vučević. Donovan also hinted at three-guard lineups featuring Caruso, amplifying Chicago’s switch-heavy defensive scheme. What’s next The Bulls still hold the $5.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception and are linked to rim-protector Isaiah Hartenstein to shore up interior depth. Powell’s signing leaves Chicago roughly $2 million under the luxury-tax apron, so any additional move will likely require sending out salary. Summer timeline Powell has already begun informal workouts with teammates at the Advocate Center and is scheduled to host a youth skills camp in Chicago on August 24 before reporting to Team USA’s World Cup minicamp in Las Vegas. He told reporters he plans to arrive at training camp “in the best shape of my life,” crediting off-season sessions at Miami’s Sanctuary gym for his improved lateral quickness. Bottom line By landing Norman Powell, the Bulls secured a proven late-game shot-maker without sacrificing long-term flexibility. If his All-Star leap was more than a one-season spike, Chicago may have found the finishing piece to reclaim a top-four seed in the East—and Powell is eager to prove that last year’s breakout was only the beginning.