Following an impressive Summer League debut for Chicago Bulls rookie guard Dalen Terry, there is plenty of buzz surrounding the youngster out of Arizona. Terry dropped nine points, six assists and five rebounds in his opening appearance, showing flashes of all-around potential that should excite every Bulls fans. The next question is how much of Terry's initial performance will carry over to his rookie year. With that in mind, it's time to lay down some bold predictions for Terry's 2022-2023 NBA Season.
Terry was selected 19th overall by Chicago in the 2022 NBA Draft. The 6-foot, 7-inch point guard's stock fell a little ahead of the draft, but Terry has plenty of upside to make him one of the most interesting players in this year's class. He could end up the steal of the draft, and here are three bold scenarios that could make it happen:
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Dalen Terry 2022-2023 NBA Season Predictions
3. Rookie assists leader
Court vision, basketball IQ and passing ability are probably Terry's most highly touted traits coming into the league. His combination of size and offensive savviness make him the exact formula for the modern NBA big guard. He averaged 3.9 assists per game last season at Arizona. Last year, the NBA rookie assists leader was Cade Cunningham, who averaged 5.6 per contest.
Terry will have a much better roster around him than Cunningham did his rookie season. Elite scorers like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will make it incredibly easy for Terry to rack up dimes. That, plus an extra year of NCAA experience, will slow down the NBA game much faster than a normal rook. Terry's assist totals could skyrocket and place him above the rest next season.
2. Transition into perimeter threat
Heading into the draft, NBA teams were less impressed with Dalen Terry's scoring in comparison to his playmaking. However, surrounded by aforementioned offensive masterminds like LaVine and DeRozan, Terry will rarely have to create his own shot. Instead, he can focus on an extremely valuable offensive tool: off-ball perimeter shooting.
Perfected by the Warriors dynasty, off-ball 3-point shooting is a necessity on a championship roster. Terry isn't the greatest spot-up shooter in his class, but the potential is certainly there. He shot 35% from beyond the arc in his sophomore season at Arizona. Those numbers aren't fantastic, but NBA shooting coaches and added spacing thanks to his scoring-focused teammates should clear a path for Terry's shooting to take a leap forward. Doing so would elevate his impact on the game tenfold.
1. The next Lonzo Ball?
Maybe this is something Bulls fans have heard before. Especially since being drafted by Lonzo Ball's team, Dalen Terry has drawn many comparisons to the former second overall pick. However, considering the Bulls' and Terry's circumstances, there is real opportunity for the rookie to convert on these comparisons.
Ball underwent surgery for a meniscus tear in January. He was reactivated in march, before being quickly shut down again. Now, it's unclear if Ball will begin the season injury-free. His absence would leave a big gap in the Bulls' production that Terry's skillset could replace. If Terry plays Ball's role well, he could earn the permanent starting role until the former All-Rookie team member returns. Ball was evaluated similarly to Terry early in his career, with great playmaking and lackluster scoring. If Terry develops the right way, he very well could be the next Lonzo Ball.
Rookie seasons are incredibly unpredictable. No matter what, things never go exactly as planned or predicted. However, if things go right for Dalen Terry, his 2022-2023 rookie season could be a huge year for him and Chicago.
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