NBA Heats Up in the Offseason: "Bro, Don't Mention My Name Again!" The Man Who Broke Mirotić's Jaw Sends Chilling Threat to New Bulls Star

Pulse Sports Team 11:05 - 11 August 2026

Tensions in the NBA have suddenly boiled over mid-summer, with a fierce conflict between Bobby Portis and Norman Powell taking center stage. The fiery power forward, infamous for knocking out and breaking the jaw of former teammate Nikola Mirotić during practice, has issued a dangerous message to the new Chicago Bulls shooting guard after his name was mentioned in the context of failed trades.

Portis reacted fiercely to the statement from the new Bulls player, sending him a public warning via social media that was interpreted in NBA circles as an open threat:

"Hey Norm, I've always respected you from a distance, we were in the same 2015 draft class and props to all of us. About nine of us are still in the league, but bro, don't mention my name again. I'm not someone to be trifled with. From a champion, to a champion, with respect, king. Be blessed," Portis wrote.

"I'm not someone to be trifled with, be blessed!"

The reason for this sharp reaction was a statement by Norman Powell, who signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Chicago Bulls this summer. Powell spoke openly about how he believed he would move to the Miami Heat and team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that things got complicated with Milwaukee.

"I thought I was going to end up in Miami. I knew they wanted Giannis, and I heard talk that the two of us would be a great tandem. I thought that was a done deal, but it turned out like some people were saying, 'If you want Giannis, you have to take Bobby Portis in the package.' I think it was also because of the new financial rules in the league," Powell explained.

Powell didn't stop there, revealing that there were options for major trades that also involved the Serbian national team player:

"They could have made trades if they wanted to. Andrew Wiggins probably would have had to opt out of his contract and take less money, and they would have had to trade Nikola Jović as well. However, the teams did what they wanted and didn't make those key moves."

The Unforgettable Mirotić Incident

Throughout his career, Bobby Portis has been labeled a player with a "short fuse." His most infamous incident occurred back in 2017 while he was with the Chicago Bulls. During a practice, following a verbal altercation, he sucker-punched teammate Nikola Mirotić. The blow was so forceful that it broke Mirotić's jaw and gave him a concussion, landing the Podgorica native in the hospital. After the scandal, the Bulls suspended Portis for eight games. Mirotić soon left Chicago and, not long after, the NBA. Given this history of violence, Powell would be wise to take Portis's words seriously.

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