A year ago, the Chicago Bulls' wing rotation featured Zach LaVine, recently extended Patrick Williams, then-19-year-old rookie Matas Buzelis, Talen Horton-Tucker, Chris Duarte, Julian Phillips, and Dalen Terry.
To demonstrate just how weak the Bulls' wing rotation was, over the first month of the season, only LaVine and Williams (before an injury) saw significant action. Chicago was extremely guard-heavy, a trend that carried over into the new year and beyond.
Among the previously mentioned names, LaVine is no longer on the team, Williams has since been demoted to a reserve role, Buzelis is a rare bright spot, and Horton-Tucker and Duarte are free agents. That leaves Phillips and Terry, who both remain on the team, yet their position in the Bulls' pecking order is in flux.
While Terry could just as easily be considered a guard, there won't be much of, if any at all, of a runway to displace Josh Giddey, Coby White, Tre Jones, or Ayo Dosunmu. All four guards are locked into substantial playing time. Thus, like the Bulls did with LaVine, we'll group Terry in with the wings.
The Bulls' wing rotation has gone from thin to crammed
Nonetheless, Terry's avenue to playing time doesn't get much better if he were to be considered wing—same goes for Phillips. Following last season, Chicago has traded for 24-year-old former fifth overall pick Isaac Okoro and drafted 18-year-old swingman Noa Essengue. Not to mention the midseason acquisition of sharpshooter Kevin Huerter, the Bulls' wing rotation is flush.
Buzelis is locked into a starting role and will surely receive some preferential treatment as he's the closest player on the roster to being foundational. Moreover, Okoro will likely suit up next to Buzelis in the opening unit to supply much-needed perimeter defense. Consequently, Huerter and Williams will be Buzelis and Okoro's primary reserves.
It's safe to assume Phillips and Terry land anywhere from 12th to 14th in the Bulls' pecking order. Yet, it'd be a disservice for both players' talents to go to waste buried deep on Chicago's bench.
Terry is a former 18th overall pick who was tabbed as a big, versatile wing with point forward potential. However, through 73 games, the former Arizona Wildcats has looked timid, especially when it comes to shooting, and hasn't proven to be a difference-maker on the less glamorous end. He's averaged merely 3.5 points and shot 44.5 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from three across three seasons.
On the other hand, Phillips is evidently growing into his role as a 3-and-D wing. He might not possess the same ceiling as Terry, but his floor is arguably higher. The 21-year-old is a former second-round pick, but has played almost as many minutes as Terry in one less season.
Besides each player's hypothetical potential, a more pressing concern lingers. Terry is entering the final season of his rookie contract, while Phillips has a team option following the upcoming season. There's a chance neither player is on the roster come 2026-27.
Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry must see the floor next season
If that's the case, Billy Donovan and Co. must find a way for both youngsters to see the floor for two reasons. First, to decipher whether either Phillips or Terry is a keeper. Second, to spike each wing's trade value before the deadline.
The former is arguably the most logical route, considering Phillips and Terry are still only 21 and 23, respectively. Moreover, Dosunmu and Huerter are also entering the final seasons of their respective contracts. It's quite possible Terry could revert to primary reserve shooting guard as soon as next season if Chicago believes re-signing Dosunmu would come at too large a cost.
If the Bulls decide to bring Dosunmu back, the expectation would be that Huerter is sent packing. That'd ultimately allow Essengue to assume an elevated role. Yet bringing back Phillips or Terry as a fifth wing wouldn't be the worst investment.
However, if Chicago feels its wing unit is complete, thinning it out is the best way forward. Why not trot both players out as often as possible to gauge trade interest? With Terry taking precedence since he's playing on an expiring pact, it'd certainly be worthwhile for the Bulls to flaunt both youngsters' potential to rival teams. Plus, whoever decides to trade for either Terry or Phillips would ultimately be granted each player's bird rights, allowing for straightforward contract extension.
Although there isn't much of an avenue for playing time for either player, it's in the Bulls' best interest to find one, whether it be to project a role moving forward or to measure trade interest.