Dalen Terry Heads to New York: A Fresh Start with the Contending Knicks
After a quiet stint in Chicago, Dalen Terry is getting a much-needed reset - and it’s coming on one of the NBA’s biggest stages.
The Bulls have traded the 23-year-old guard to the New York Knicks in exchange for Guerschon Yabusele, according to reports. For Terry, who’s in the final year of his rookie deal, this move offers a chance to redefine his role and reestablish his value - this time with a team firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
Terry’s numbers in Chicago this season won’t jump off the page - 3.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over 34 appearances - but there are signs of growth beneath the surface. He’s shooting a career-best 41.3% from beyond the arc on 46 attempts, and 44.1% overall from the field. That kind of efficiency, even in limited minutes, is something the Knicks can work with, especially from a young wing who brings energy and length on both ends.
Originally the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Arizona, Terry came into the league with a reputation as a do-it-all glue guy. He wasn’t expected to carry an offense, but rather to fill gaps - defend multiple positions, push the pace, make the extra pass. Those traits didn’t always translate into consistent floor time in Chicago, where he averaged around 12 minutes per game over two and a half seasons.
But recently, there were signs the Bulls were beginning to trust him more. Just this past weekend, he logged back-to-back games with 29 and 28 minutes against the Heat - the most extended action he’s seen all year. That uptick in usage showed he was trending in the right direction, even if the bigger opportunity ultimately came elsewhere.
Now he joins a Knicks team that’s tied for second in the East and looking to solidify its rotation for a deep postseason run. While Terry likely won’t be asked to play major minutes right away, the opportunity is there. New York has leaned on depth all season, and with his size, defensive versatility, and improving shot, Terry could carve out a niche if he stays ready.
This is a classic change-of-scenery move - a young player with tools, looking for the right fit. And for Terry, there might not be a better place to prove himself than under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.