Norman Powell is very well aware of his situation.
After all, the veteran Bulls guard might not be a hardened businessman, but he has been around the league long enough to understand the business.
So when he signed a two-year, $45-million contract with Year 2 being a team option, he did the team a favor because of the flexibility it allows but also did right by himself because of how fluid it keeps him on the trade front.
If the Bulls feel the need to move Powell come February, it’s essentially an expiring contract. That also means Powell likely would be sent to a contender. At age 33, it’s not a bad situation to be in, and it’s also the new mindset in the NBA.
“I just think with the way the league is and free agency, just the aprons and things like that, teams are trying to get creative,” Powell said last month. “For me, I go into every situation wanting to be here, wanting to help win and contribute anyway I can. But looking at the business of it, I’ve been around so long that those things have crossed my mind. I’ve thought about [the flexibility the deal allows], but I don’t pay too much mind on it. My focus is on being here, being in the moment, and how I can help.”
How he can help is to make sure the Bulls don’t finish in the bottom three of the league. Because of the new “3-2-1 lottery” system, the days of tanking to the basement are over. The actual sweet spot in the standings for a rebuilding team — which the Bulls certainly are — is finishing Nos. 4-10. That earns three lottery balls and an 8.1% chance at No. 1.
Just one reason the Bulls wanted a veteran such as Powell, and a rebuilding franchise like Brooklyn added Julius Randle and retained Michael Porter Jr.
It’s the new way of approaching team building. It’s like the adage about being in the woods with some people and coming across an angry bear. You don’t necessarily need to be faster than the bear. Just faster than the people you’re with.
Did executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham accomplish that? That remains to be seen, but he did purchase the best running shoes available to give himself that chance.
Bottom of the NBA
30. Sacramento: The Kings have been an absolute mess for a few seasons and don’t expect that to change this season. Zach LaVine opted in for the final year of his max deal, while Domantas Sabonis was a trade candidate but has yet to be moved.
For the Kings it’s all about rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and his development, but on paper it’s the worst roster in the league.
29. Memphis: The Grizzlies actually started the new era of basketball last season when they began to purge the roster. Once Ja Morant was traded over the summer, the rebuild was on. The good news for Memphis is that the cupboards aren’t bare. Zach Edey showed some signs, Cedric Coward was an All-Rookie Team performer, and No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer might have the highest floor in the 2026 rookie class.
28. Milwaukee: In finally moving
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks started their new chapter, doing so with an interesting but flawed roster.
Tyler Herro has All-Star DNA, Myles Turner can’t be as bad as he was last season and rookie Brayden Burries looks like a dude. It just feels like a car with a lot of parts that don’t necessarily fit.
27. Brooklyn: The Nets could be the Bulls’ biggest competition for that No. 4 or No. 5 spot in the basement. Randle and Porter can play, Egor Demin had a solid second half of the season and an outstanding Summer League, while rookie Mikel Brown Jr. showed flashes in Las Vegas of becoming something special.
The Nets easily could be way better than people think.
26. New Orleans: Is Zion Williamson finally becoming a consistently available player? He did appear in 62 games last season, which was progress. If Williamson goes back to his bad habit of sitting in street clothes with frequent visits to the training room, the Pelicans can be a bottom-three team.
25. BULLS: Any delusions of becoming play-in eligible in Year 1 of this rebuild should be checked at the door for now, but that doesn’t mean the Bulls can’t sneak up on teams. The frontcourt has a chance to be a force on the defensive end, while Josh Giddey and Powell will be an interesting backcourt.
What helps is the Bulls also have some depth coming off the bench, which should keep them out of the bottom three.