The Chicago Bulls surprised many by selecting Dalen Terry with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, as he was projected to go later in the 20s. This indicated the Bulls’ strong belief in Terry’s talent and potential. With his impressive work ethic and nearly 7-foot-1 wingspan, he seemed like a good fit for the team.
However, two years later, Terry’s contributions have been limited. During his rookie season, he averaged just 5.6 minutes per game without starting any games. In the 2023-24 season, his playing time improved slightly; he appeared in 59 games, averaging 11.5 minutes, 3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
While these stats aren’t particularly impressive, Darnell Mayberry reports that the Bulls have exercised Terry’s fourth-year option. According to Hoops Rumors, this means he will earn a guaranteed $5,399,118 in the 2025-26 season, the fourth year of his rookie contract. This move indicates the Bulls’ commitment to developing their young talent, especially after parting ways with Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan this summer.
There are also rumors surrounding Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic potentially being traded, although interest in these former All-Stars appears to be limited. The Bulls may look to enhance their trade value at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, aiming to move them before fully committing to a rebuild. With this in mind, it will be interesting to see if Terry gets more playing time next season as the Bulls evaluate his potential contributions.