The Chicago Bulls took Dalen Terry with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft, and the mid-first-round selection has not blossomed into a key rotation piece. There was hype about his potential to make an impact on both ends of the floor coming out of college. The Bulls thought they were taking an impact wing, but he is quickly turning into another draft bust taken by Arturas Karnisovas.
The Bulls have been the symbol of mediocrity under Karnisovas. Since he was hired in 2020, they are 210-222 with just one playoff appearance. Chicago won 39 games two straight years and had 40 victories in 2023. His issues in finding and developing talent in the draft have played a key role, and it is time to let him go.
Terry is averaging just 10.8 minutes per game in the final year of his rookie contract. The 6’6 wing still struggles to make jumpers and has not taken the leap many expected. Chicago is unlikely to give him a second contract, which makes this another disastrous selection.
Arturas Karnisovas is watching Bulls’ Dalen Terry pick go up in flames
Karnisovas’ tenure started off with drafting Patrick Williams fourth overall in 2020. The 6’6 wing got a five-year $90 million second contract that Chicago already regrets. He is signed through 2029, but can barely get on the floor. Williams has produced a negative value over replacement player (VORP) and is stuck as an anchor contract on the franchise's books for the foreseeable future.
The Bulls should learn a lesson from that mistake. Terry has produced a negative VORP for his career and has his lowest win shares per 48 minutes this year. He has struggled to stay on the floor and has played more than seven minutes just 11 times this season. It simply isn’t happening for the 6’6 wing.
Fans had renewed hope when he was spotted working with Steve Nash in the offseason, but this has been nothing resembling a breakout. Terry's minutes are down, and he is shooting just 23.5 percent from 3-point range this season.
The Bulls should avoid giving him a qualifying offer and let him walk in free agency. The 23-year-old still has time to develop and may succeed in a new home. It isn’t happening in Chicago. Plain and simple.
Arturas Karnisovas has turned his draft track record around a bit with the selections of Ayo Dosunmu and Matas Buzelis. The Noa Essengue lottery selection doesn’t look great, but the Bulls knew he was a project. An unfortunate injury ended his rookie campaign after just two games, but there is still hope.
The Chicago Bulls swung and missed on the Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry picks. They passed on Tyrese Haliburton and Christian Braun to make those selections. Things would be very different if AK nailed those picks. The Bulls can’t afford any more of these mistakes, or they will be stuck in the middle forever. Fans know it is truly the worst place to be.