Norman Powell scores 15 points in Bulls debut

Powell was the Bulls’ leading scorer in the victory over the Bucks on Wednesday. While he had 25 points, Powell’s typically excellent shooting from behind the three-point line was noticeably absent. The 33-year-old shooting guard went 2-of-12 from behind the arc and is now 4-of-18 (22.2 percent) from long distance this season. Powell is a career 39.6 percent three-point shooter and should have better shooting games in his future as he’s due for positive regression.

With the Bulls playing their starters and the Bucks not, Wednesday’s game wasn’t particularly competitive. Powell didn’t do much beyond points and free throws, but there’s little to take away from this performance for his fantasy outlook. Powell can provide middle-round fantasy value in 12-team formats, but managers need the veteran guard to stay healthy to get full value from rostering him.

Making his Bulls preseason debut, Powell logged just 14 minutes on Wednesday. He shot the ball well, going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. The overall stat line was lean, but Powell has top-75 fantasy potential in his new home. The question is availability, as Powell has appeared in 60 games or fewer in five of his last six seasons.

Powell made the All-Star team last year in his first and only season with the Heat. The writing was on the wall after Miami completed the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, sending Powell to free agency. The 33-year-old shooting guard has averaged at least 21 points in each of the last two seasons and finished in the top five of Sixth Man of the Year voting in the two years before that. He should be counted on for his scoring once again with the Bulls. Powell certainly adds some legitimacy to Chicago’s young and developing roster.

Appearing on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show, Charania said the Heat aren’t expecting Powell to be back with the team next season. This comes on the heels of ESPN’s Brian Windhorst echoing the same sentiments on another show Tuesday morning. While Powell’s shooting is exactly what the Heat need, he’s going to have multiple suitors in free agency, which will make him very difficult for Miami to keep from a financial perspective, according to Charania. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer previously reported the Pistons have added Powell to their list of targets.

The Pistons have been linked to nearly every available shooter this offseason. Prior to the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, it was believed that Powell would re-sign with the Heat. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Tuesday morning that Powell isn’t going to re-sign with Miami barring a “crazy discount.” With Powell seemingly available now, it’s no surprise that Detroit will at least kick the tires on the 33-year-old All-Star. The Pistons will continue to look to add shooting and playmaking around its core this offseason and Powell could factor into those plans. Stein and Fischer report Detroit is also interested in Tyler Herro, Coby White and Isaiah Joe.

Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday morning, Windhorst expressed concern that the Heat will be able to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with enough shooting this upcoming season. His primary reason for concern is that he believes the Heat will lose Powell in free agency barring the 33-year-old All-Star taking a “crazy discount.” With Miami up against the cap and having already put so many assets in the Giannis trade, the Heat will have to make some moves on the cheap to fill out the roster. It appears Powell could be out of their price range.

Powell was able to end the regular season on a high note after a rough few months for him. He was able to start the season hot, but injuries hit his fantasy value hard. This was his highest-scoring outing since February, and he was one of three Heat players to score at least 25 points in this game. It was encouraging for him to have this type of performance, and he’ll look to carry this production into their play-in tournament matchup with the Hornets next week.

Powell is back after sitting out Friday’s win over the Wizards. If he returns to the starting lineup, the Heat will likely open up a spot by moving Kel’el Ware to the bench.

Powell did not play in Friday’s win over the Wizards, which factored into rookie Keshad Johnson playing 30 minutes off the bench. If Powell can play in Sunday’s regular-season finale, and the Heat still have a chance of moving into the No. 9 seed, Johnson’s playing time will decrease.