A current Miami Heat player is going after a former one this week.
New Chicago Bulls guard Norman Powell spoke this week in an interview with Mark Medina of Fadeaway World. In the interview, Powell said that he thought he would be returning to the Heat this offseason despite their trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. But Powell indicated that salary cap realities, including the fact that Miami seemingly had to take on Portis in the Antetokounmpo trade, meant that he was left as the odd man out (ultimately signing with the Bulls on a two-year, $44 million deal instead).
“Honestly, I thought I would be going back to Miami throughout the course of the year,” said Powell. “We knew they wanted to get Giannis. We heard some rumblings that ‘Norm and Giannis sounds really good.’ So I thought that was the path.
“I don’t know what Milwaukee’s stance was,” Powell added. “But it seemed like they were like, ‘If you want Giannis, you have to take Bobby Portis.’ I think that played a part with the CBA rules and the hard cap with sending out money and receiving money. That put a tough swing on things, in my eyes.”
Powell’s remarks caught the attention of the new Heat forward Portis himself. In a post to X on Monday night, Portis vehemently disputed Powell’s implication that he was a throw-in for Miami in the Antetokounmpo trade.
“Yo Norm @npowell2404 , I always respected ya game from a distance,” wrote Portis. “We in the same draft. Shout out to 2015. Only bout 9 of us left but keep my name out your mouth brother. I ain’t no throw in piece. From champ to champ respectfully king. Be blessed brother.”
Yo Norm @npowell2404 , I always respected ya game from a distance. We in the same draft. Shout out to 2015. Only bout 9 of us left but keep my name out your mouth brother. I ain’t no throw in piece. From champ to champ respectfully king. Be blessed brother. https://t.co/bjNZ1wu5sC
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) August 11, 2026
In truth, there was indeed some talk even before the Antetokounmpo trade happened that Portis and his contract ($14.5 million for next season with a $15.6 million player option for 2027-28 as well) would have to be included as a tax of sorts. But now that the trade is complete, characterizing Portis (who averaged 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on efficient 49/46/71 shooting splits last year) as a throw-in is still disrespectful, especially coming from one of his fellow NBA players.
Powell also produced some unserious quotes elsewhere in his interview with Medina this week. But the grizzled 31-year-old veteran Portis certainly appears to be taking Powell’s backhanded comments about him pretty seriously.
