Bulls' Dalen Terry not expected to sign extension

Terry’s camp has not had any “serious discussions” with the Bulls about a new deal, according to Cowley. Terry will remain eligible for a rookie scale extension until October 20.

The 23-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him about $5.4MM in ’25/26. The Bulls could make Terry a restricted free agent next summer if they tender him a qualifying offer, though that seems far from certain given the way his first three seasons have played out.

A 6’7″ swingman who was selected No. 18 overall in the 2022 draft after two college seasons at Arizona, Terry has struggled to establish himself as a reliable rotation player to this point in his career. He appeared in a career-high 73 games last season, holding modest averages of 4.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 13.5 minutes per contest.

Terry, who switched jersey numbers (from No. 25 to No. 7) as he looks for a fresh start this fall, readily acknowledges he’s entering a “big year” for his career. He tells Cowley he’s looking to one of his former teammates for inspiration.

“This is how I think everybody views it,” Terry said. “They view it as I’m not a guy that scores 20, 30 points. Well, I got drafted to be like [former Bulls guard] Alex Caruso: ‘OK, he can guard, he can do all the little things, he can be a connector.’ That’s what I strive to be this year.

“Like, even [in the Bulls’ preseason victory Thursday against the Cavaliers], in my eyes, I played like [expletive]. But you look at the box score, and I’m guarding Donovan Mitchell. I was tough on him. Guarding De’Andre Hunter. I was tough on him. I have to live like that, you know?

“I remember being in the locker room [when] AC was still here, and some days he would have six points and some days he would have 20 points. That’s just the way it’s going to be. I have to hang my hat on the defensive end. So when people try to put pressure on what I should be, I’m just going to be myself.”