The Draft is a critical night for all 30 NBA franchises. Whether it be the worst team in the league or the NBA champs, each pick can change the trajectory of a team for better or worse. The Chicago Bulls are no different.
The Bulls had just one pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the eighteenth overall selection. In that range, a future superstar or franchise player is no guarantee, but the prospects available are still capable and talented enough to fill gaps on a roster. Chicago could very well have some gaps to fill, with Zach LaVine contract talks and Lonzo Ball injury concerns clouding up most of the offseason.
With one shot to bring home a solid young player, the Bulls had no room for error in the '22 Draft. That being said, here is the Chicago Bulls' 2022 NBA Draft Grade.
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Dalen Terry, G/F, Arizona – A-
Chicago surprised many by selecting Arizona's Dalen Terry with the 18th pick. Terry was projected to slip a little further in the draft, but the slight reach by the Bulls may work out in their favor.
Terry was slightly overshadowed by Arizona teammate and lottery pick Benedict Mathurin, but is still a very exciting prospect. The 6'7″ ball handling guard fits the bill of a prototypical big guard. His combination of skill and size put him on big boards across the league and should translate well to the NBA.
His scoring production doesn't exactly jump off the page, averaging just eight points in his sophomore season at Arizona. However, his 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game suggest he will make his presence felt in other facets of the game. He was named to the PAC-12 All-Defense team as well.
Terry often draws comparisons to Ball. Their similarities in length and aptitude on defense, as well as their natural feel for the game make their playstyles very similar. Ball had to improve his scoring upon entering the league as well, so there's hope for Terry in that regard. It's very likely Terry has to learn and fill Ball's role while the veteran guard recovers from injury. Upon return, the Bulls will have two skilled, lengthy guards to terrorize opposing teams with.
Another important consideration beyond skills and stats is fit. For the Bulls, there will be nothing to worry about in that regard. Beyond already fitting the archetype of the Bulls' star PG, Terry is simply ready to thrive in the NBA environment. His impressive feel on both sides of the ball will delight teammates as they can skip most of the rookie growing pains. Although, there may be some learning to be done offensively.
With the help of star teammates in Lavine, Ball and DeMar Derozan, Terry should develop just fine. He will be a solid contributor for the Bulls for years to come at minimum, and who knows, he could tap into some superstar potential later in his career.
Overall, the Bulls made the right choice with Terry.
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