The Chicago Bulls are open to hearing trade offers for guard Norman Powell as the NBA trade deadline draws closer, according to a report from NBA insider Jake Fischer.
The development comes as the Bulls have opened the 2026-27 season with a 1-6 record. Chicago added Powell in free agency to bolster its scoring and supply veteran guidance for a young roster, but the early struggles have prompted the front office to gauge interest in the 33-year-old.
Fischer’s update indicates the Bulls are willing to listen rather than actively shopping Powell in a specific deal. No trade has been completed, and no destination has been identified. Teams interested in acquiring him would still need to present a package that Chicago views as improving its long-term position.
Powell has averaged 20.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29.7 minutes per game through seven contests this season. He is shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 34.0 percent from 3-point range.
Those numbers sit close to his production from a year ago, when he averaged 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Miami Heat while earning his first All-Star selection.
Chicago signed Powell to a two-year, $45 million contract that includes a team option for the 2027-28 season. The structure gives the Bulls flexibility to retain him or move on after this year, whether through free agency or a trade. The deal became official in July after Powell left Miami, where financial constraints following other roster moves limited the Heat’s ability to match Chicago’s offer.
The Bulls targeted Powell to add perimeter scoring around younger players such as Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and 2026 first-round pick Caleb Wilson. His experience was viewed as a way to ease the burden on those developing talents during difficult stretches.
Listening to offers now requires the organization to weigh those short-term contributions against the assets it could receive in return.
A deal that brings back draft capital or younger talent aligned with Chicago’s timeline could accelerate the rebuild. At the same time, moving a reliable scorer might place more pressure on the less experienced players still adjusting to consistent minutes and roles. The Bulls have only two players age 30 or older on the roster, with Powell representing one of the more significant veteran contracts.
Powell’s scoring ability remains the clearest draw for any potential suitor. Contenders seeking additional perimeter punch often look for veterans who can create offense when primary options face extra defensive attention. His career track record, which includes a 2019 championship with the Toronto Raptors, adds to the appeal for teams prioritizing immediate help over long-term projects.
Chicago’s defensive issues have been evident in the early going, as the team has allowed well over 120 points per game in multiple losses. Offensive inconsistency has also appeared, even with Powell contributing scoring nights in the 20s and 30s. The organization must determine whether keeping him helps stabilize lineups or whether a trade better positions the group for future growth.
The trade deadline typically arrives in early February, giving the Bulls several months to evaluate their direction. A strong package could shift the franchise’s plans. A limited market, however, could lead Chicago to retain Powell and exercise or decline the team option based on how the season unfolds.
Fischer’s report places Powell among names to monitor rather than players already on the move. Availability alone does not guarantee a transaction. Other teams must assess salary matching, roster fit and the cost of assets they would surrender before any deal advances.
Bulls fans have watched the team miss the playoffs in recent seasons while investing in youth. The decision on Powell will test how the front office balances competing in the present with building for the years ahead. The organization has not commented publicly on the report.
For now, Powell continues to log heavy minutes as one of Chicago’s primary scoring options. His performance over the coming weeks will likely influence both his trade value and the Bulls’ willingness to move him. The situation remains fluid as the deadline approaches.
