The Bulls could turn Norman Powell into something far more valuable than draft picks

Writer Andrew Hanlon argues that the Chicago Bulls should package veteran guard Norman Powell and draft picks to acquire a franchise cornerstone rather than settling for future draft selections. Powell signed a two-year, $45 million deal featuring a second-year team option, effectively giving Chicago a valuable $22.5 million expiring contract to use at the trade deadline alongside young building blocks Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis.

The piece highlights Indiana's 2024 trade for Pascal Siakam as a potential blueprint, noting how Bruce Brown's identical contract structure facilitated that blockbuster deal. Hanlon suggests that Chicago could target New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, using Powell's contract, draft assets, and cap flexibility to accelerate their roster rebuilding process.