The Norman Powell Chicago Bulls signing wasn’t one of the more obvious storylines heading into free agency. In an offseason where players such as Kawhi Leonard got traded, Powell signing with the Bulls falls flat in comparison. For more about Kawhi being traded to the Raptors, here is our breakdown of that trade.
But this signing could end up being more impactful than many NBA fans realize. When the Miami Heat traded for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, it was initially assumed they would re-sign Norman Powell. As the best team build around Giannis includes quality three-point shooting to take advantage of his elite ability to get rim pressure.
But it was soon reported after trading for Giannis that Miami was not expecting to retain Powell this offseason. After hearing that news, most people predicted Norman Powell would sign with the Detroit Pistons.
This prediction would end up being wrong as the all-star from this past season decided to sign with the Chicago Bulls for a two-year, $45 million deal. This is a signing for the Bulls that directly addresses one of the franchise’s biggest weaknesses: three-point shooting.
This past season, the Bulls were a team that got up threes at a high volume, as they shot 40.6 three point attempts per game. They ranked sixth in the NBA, but they made threes at a below-average clip.
Chicago made 35.6% of their three-pointers, finishing nineteenth in the league when it came to three-point percentage.
In the draft, their selections with the fourth and fifteenth overall pick don’t profile to be good three point shooters right away. It’s possible Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain could grow into respectable three-point shooters, but that’s going to take a few years of development.
Wilson, in his one-and-done season with North Carolina, shot 25.9% from three on only 2.1 three-point attempts per one hundred possessions, according to draftballr.com. On paper, Swain has a better chance than Wilson to help improve the Bulls’ three-point shooting.
During this past season at Texas, the forward prospect had a three-point percentage of 34.8% on 4.6 three-point attempts per one hundred possessions. Even then, he was below the fiftieth percentile in both categories.
Counting on Swain to significantly improve Chicago’s three-point shooting isn’t something they can bank on. Not to mention, as the Bulls roster stands right now, they don’t have any guys who can take and make threes at a high rate.
Matas Buzelis while he attempted 6.4 three-pointers a game last season, ranking in the ninety-sixth percentile according to databallr.com. He only made 34.9% of his threes, which ranks in the fifty-fourth percentile.
Josh Giddey made 36.4% of his three-pointers on 5.2 attempts per game this past season. Ranking in the sixtieth and seventy-fourth percentiles, respectively.
The rest of the players that project to be key members of the rotation are in fifty-first percentile or lower when it comes to three-point attempts and percentage. The only two players above those marks are Jalen Smith and Zach Collins. The power forward and center were above the seventy-fourth percentile in both aspects.
In the addition of Powell, they’re adding a player with a proven track record of being a quality three-point shooter. Throughout the past five seasons, Powell has shot 41% from three on 5.9 attempts.
He’s also never been below the seventy-fourth percentile in three-point attempts and the sixty-eighth percentile in percentage from deep. With how efficient he is from behind the arc and a threat to shoot at any moment, defenses have to respect him at all times.
Forcing hard closeouts from defenders, where Norman does a good job attacking closeouts. Whether that be getting all the way to the rim or getting a shot in the short midrange area.
Powell will also provide some secondary shot creation and will further strengthen the Bulls’ transition attack. Chicago was second in transition frequency/points per game and second in pace.
Now they have a transition attack of Giddey or Swain pushing the pace, the athleticism of Buzelis, Wilson, and Claxton cutting to the rim, and Norman spacing on the break.
When it comes to defense, passing, and playmaking, Powell is nothing more than below average in those regards. But the Bulls aren’t asking him to be something he’s not.
All they’re asking is for Norman to come in and be an efficient three-point shooter on high volume, have juice as a closeout attacker, and be a kickout option in transition.
Norman gives the Bulls a starting shooting guard who slots perfectly into their starting five alongside Giddey, Buzelis, Wilson, and Claxton. Being a player that can reliably space the floor while also giving them some dynamism outside of just shooting threes.
This isn’t a flashy offseason move compared to Giannis, Kawhi, or Jaylen Brown being traded. But this acquisition gives a young rebuilding team a veteran who has seen a lot of playoff basketball. Powell is also not a veteran who’s a benchwarmer; instead, a guy who can teach the young players lessons while actually being on the court with them.
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