Norman Powell Is the Bulls' Only Sure Thing

By the Bulls Nightly Desk · Friday, September 18

Norman Powell enters his 11th season as the most proven player on a young Bulls roster, coming off a year in which he scored 21.7 points a night on 47.0 percent shooting. At 33 and healthy, he is being paid $21.5 million to keep doing exactly that while Chicago's kids develop around him.

Norman Powell of the Bulls — Norman Powell. Photo: Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Elder Statesman. Powell turns 33 this season and is entering his 11th year, the most experience on a Bulls roster that averages 23.9 years old. Last season he averaged 21.7 points over 58 games and 29.6 minutes, the highest scoring mark on a team that finished 31-51.

Shooting the Ball Well. Powell shot 47.0 percent from the field last season and 38.0 percent from three on 7.1 attempts a game, both career-caliber marks. His true shooting sat at 60.9 percent, and he made 82.7 percent of his free throws, numbers that hold up against any wing in the league.

Positive in the Red. Chicago's defense ranked 22nd in the league last season at 117.4, but Powell's own defensive rating was 114.1, better than the team mark. His net rating came in at plus-0.6, a rare positive number on a roster that finished minus-5.3 as a whole.

The Money Behind Him. Powell is set to make $21.5 million this season, the third-largest contract on the team, trailing only Giddey's $25.0 million and Claxton's $23.1 million, with a $22.6 million team option for 2027-28. At his usage rate of 26.2 percent, he is being paid to keep scoring at that same clip.

Not on the List. Four Bulls are day-to-day heading toward camp: Josh Giddey, Rob Dillingham, Zach Collins and Dailyn Swain, all expected back around October 1. Powell is not among them, the one scorer Splitter can pencil in without a question mark next to his name.

What He Isn't. Powell grabbed 3.5 rebounds and dished 2.5 assists a game last season, modest totals that reflect his job description. He is a scorer first, not a playmaker or a rebounder, and the Bulls have not asked him to be either since he arrived in Chicago.

The Verdict. What Powell needs to be this season is what he was last season: a bucket-getter a rebuilding roster can lean on every night, healthy and efficient, while the young core develops around him. At 33, with a 2027-28 team option, he also doubles as the roster's most obvious trade chip if Chicago's kids take a real step.

On deck The Bulls open the preseason October 7 at home against the Suns, then face the Grizzlies October 9 before road games at the Nuggets on October 11 and the Bucks on October 14, with the regular season opener set for October 21 at Toronto.

How much is Norman Powell making this season?

Powell is set to earn $21.5 million in 2026-27, with a $22.6 million team option for 2027-28.

Is Norman Powell injured heading into camp?

No. Powell is not on the injury report, unlike teammates Josh Giddey, Rob Dillingham, Zach Collins and Dailyn Swain, who are all day-to-day.