Norman Powell explains Heat comments after Bobby Portis fires back

Bulls newcomer Norman Powell was trying to explain why he isn’t still with the Heat. Bobby Portis apparently didn’t appreciate becoming part of the explanation.

Powell told Mark Medina of Fadeaway World that he initially believed Miami could re-sign him even after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. But Powell suggested the inclusion of Portis in the blockbuster complicated Miami’s finances and helped change the equation.

Portis noticed.

“Yo Norm, I always respected ya game from a distance,” Portis wrote on X. “We in the same draft. Shout out to 2015. Only bout nine of us left but keep my name out your mouth brother. I ain’t no throw-in piece.”

Powell quickly attempted to defuse things.

“You my dawg brotha always supporting,” he replied. “You wanna chop it up. Hit my line directly. Class of 2015 still hoopin.”

For Powell, the original point was mostly about money.

Taking back Portis in the Antetokounmpo trade hard-capped Miami at the first apron, significantly limiting its flexibility. Powell said the Heat potentially could have created room by making additional moves involving Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic, but didn’t.

Powell later clarified on social media that he wasn’t criticizing Miami’s decisions or Portis and said the Heat never actually made him a contract offer.

Instead, Powell landed with the Bulls on a two-year, $44 million deal. And he’s entering Chicago with realistic expectations.

“We have the potential to be really good,” Powell told Medina. “But we also have the potential to be really bad.”

The 33-year-old said he expects to provide some “old-man leadership and wisdom” for new coach Tiago Splitter and a young Bulls roster.

First, though, perhaps Powell and Portis have a phone call to make.