The Chicago Bulls spent $44 million this summer to bring Norman Powell to town. Less than a month into the season, they're already facing questions about whether they should trade him.
That's quite a turnaround for a franchise that believed adding an experienced scorer would help its young roster compete. Instead, Chicago is 1-6, has lost five consecutive games and looks nowhere near ready to contend.
Now Powell's name is appearing in trade discussions, and the Bulls have an uncomfortable decision approaching.
Norman Powell trade rumors put Bulls' offseason decisions under scrutiny
According to NBA insider Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports, Powell could become a trade candidate if Chicago continues struggling.
Deveney reported that some around the league initially suspected the Bulls signed Powell with the possibility of trading him later. However, Chicago genuinely wanted him to contribute to a competitive team.
That plan isn't looking particularly promising.
Powell is averaging 20.7 points per game, so his production certainly isn't the problem. He also scored 18 points in Monday's 126-107 loss to Philadelphia.
The problem is everything surrounding him.
Chicago didn't need another veteran scorer simply to make losing games look more respectable. The Bulls needed someone who could help turn their young roster into a legitimate playoff contender.
So far, that hasn't happened.
Deveney suggested Powell could attract interest around the league, although getting a first-round draft pick might be difficult.
That creates another uncomfortable question. If Chicago trades Powell for less than a first-round selection, what exactly did the organization accomplish by signing him?
Bulls cannot afford another directionless season
There's nothing wrong with signing productive veterans. Young players benefit from experienced teammates, and Powell has already demonstrated that he can score consistently at the NBA level.
But Chicago has spent years operating somewhere between rebuilding and competing.
At some point, the front office needs to pick a direction.
If the Bulls believe their current roster can compete for a playoff spot, keeping Powell makes sense. He's under contract through next season, with Chicago holding a team option for 2027-28.
However, if the losses continue piling up, holding onto a veteran scorer simply because he was recently signed would be difficult to justify.
The Bulls have younger players who need opportunities to develop. Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey represent a much more important part of Chicago's future than squeezing a few additional victories out of this season.
Trading Powell wouldn't automatically make his signing a mistake. Chicago could still recover value from a player whose contract gives another team some flexibility.
But accepting a poor return just to move him would compound the problem.
The season is still young, and there's no indication a Powell trade is imminent. Nevertheless, the fact that his name is already circulating should concern Bulls fans.
Chicago spent the summer trying to accelerate its rebuild. Now the front office might have to explain why it's considering reversing course before Thanksgiving.
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