Much of the fanbase knows that Coby White has been an absolute content machine over his first few offseasons. Although clips on social media don’t tell the whole story, he constantly provided hope for a leap in his game due to the hard work previewed in videos following each season’s conclusion. This year, a new young guard has followed in his footsteps, and after his most promising campaign in the NBA, excitement is an understatement for what he can become at the professional level. Who has teased Chicago with his offseason work ethic, and how soon will it produce results between the lines?
Dalen Terry’s Emergence
After only appearing in six games and averaging almost four minutes per contest before the calendar flipped to 2024, Terry made a name for himself off the Bulls bench during the second half of the season. Averaging nearly 12 minutes per game over 53 appearances from January through April, his offensive efficiencies hindered his ability to see even more court time. Zach LaVine’s injury opened the door for all Chicago guards to step up and fill the various voids their two-time All-Star left, and Terry got his first consistent NBA minutes during that span.
He is showing shades of the next great defensive Bulls point guard; if Terry can develop a three-point shot and improve his offensive tendencies, there are minutes to be had in that backcourt. Ayo Dosunmu is in a similar place as Terry, and the trio of those two and White have made for a stellar young slate of guards in the Windy City.
Training With Former Champions, NBA Veterans
Nearly every week, new video surfaces of the undersized 21-year-old guard working out with a new prestigious training partner or mentor, each adding new facets to the third-year player’s skillset. The most promising sessions are Terry’s efforts to replicate Coby White, who was the runner-up for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in the 2023-24 season with the same training regime.
While much of the NBA’s talent opts to work in silence, it does provide a glimpse of hope for what Terry can become soon. At only 21 years old, the former Arizona Wildcat has plenty of untapped potential, and with Lonzo Ball’s contract expiring at the end of this season, the door is open for the Bulls’ starting point guard role. Terry is an efficient three-point shooter and an improved playmaker away from claiming that role after Ball’s departure.
Does Dalen Terry have a development path similar to White’s in store, or is all the hype ending once the regular season begins? Likely seeing Zach LaVine leave the organization this summer, plenty of meaningful minutes will be up for grabs again during the 2024-25 campaign.
Send Ball packing. Maybe they can get some gym towels or “3rd” round pick for the bum. Play the young guys so they can develop. The best place to learn is on the floor.