Dalen Terry enters his sophomore season with a lot on the line

The high draft pick must prove his worth this coming season.

© Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Dalen Terry wasn’t like many of the high draft picks last season. While his batchmates frolicked on the big stage, the former Arizona star sat on the bench a lot. As a matter of fact, Terry played in just 38 games in his rookie season, logging in minuscule numbers of 2.2 points and 1.0 rebounds per game in 5.6 minutes of playing time.

Forgettable rookie season

If you remember Terry because of his off-court skits with teammates, most notably with star wingman DeMar DeRozan, nobody could blame you. That’s because Terry had a permanent seat on the bench and only got in the ballgame when the result was all but decided. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report reported that Terry logged in the second-fewest minutes in that draft’s top-25 picks.

"The most notable development during Terry's first NBA go-round was his method of arrival as the No. 18 pick of the 2022 draft. After that, he seldom broke a sweat at the big-league level," Buckley said.

"His 214 minutes wound up being the second-fewest minutes logged by any of that draft's top 25 picks. The only one who played less was Chet Holmgren, who missed the entire season with a foot injury."

Gotta seize his moment

Terry has done the work this offseason, training with DeRozan in California and joining the veteran on his famed early-morning workouts. It remains to be seen whether Terry’s efforts will pay dividends. But one thing is clear: Terry must earn his spot in the rotation amidst a loaded backcourt with Jevon Carter, Ayo Dosunmu, and the much-improved Coby White.

"While one rocky season doesn't have to define an NBA career, Terry may not have a ton of time to solidify his spot, at least in Chicago," Buckley commented.

"Chicago won't force-feed Terry minutes based solely on his draft position. That message was sent loud and clear last season. He'll need to earn floor time, and if he struggles to do so for a second straight season, he may not be long for the Windy City."