The Chicago Bulls continued reshaping their roster ahead of the trade deadline, dealing young guard Dalen Terry to the New York Knicks in exchange for veteran forward Guerschon Yabusele. The move was short-lived for Terry in New York, however, as the Knicks quickly flipped him to the New Orleans Pelicans in a deal for guard Jose Alvarado, effectively ending Terry’s brief stop in Manhattan before it began.
Terry, 23, was selected No. 18 overall by the Bulls in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Arizona but struggled to carve out a consistent role during his time in Chicago. Over three seasons, he started just seven games and averaged 11.1 minutes per contest. While his offensive development lagged early, Terry showed noticeable improvement in one key area this season: perimeter shooting.
Never known as a shooter coming into the league, Terry connected on 41.3% of his 3-point attempts this season in a limited sample size. With injuries opening up minutes late in his Bulls tenure, he capitalized on the opportunity, averaging 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over his final four games while shooting 48% from the field and an eye-opening 55% from beyond the arc. He is 6-foot-6, but offers defensive versatility and energy, traits that could make him a valuable depth piece for a Pelicans team seeking athleticism on the perimeter.
Terry is in the final year of his rookie contract and is set to enter restricted free agency this offseason, making him a low-risk, developmental option for the New Orleans Pelicans.
In return, Chicago acquired Yabusele, a 30-year-old forward whose NBA journey has been anything but conventional. Yabusele joined the Knicks this season on a two-year, $11.3 million contract after spending the 2024–25 campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Before his recent NBA return, he spent five seasons overseas following two years with the Boston Celtics from 2017 to 2019. His strong performance with Team France during the 2024 Summer Olympics played a significant role in earning him another opportunity in the league.
From a broader perspective, this move represents a noticeable shift in the Bulls' approach. Earlier deadline deals focused on acquiring multiple second-round picks and younger players on expiring contracts. This transaction, orchestrated by executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas, instead brings in a veteran forward in a straightforward one-for-one swap.
While the trade may not significantly alter Chicago’s on-court outlook, it signals a continued commitment to reshaping the roster, clearing salary-cap flexibility, and leaning further into a rebuilding phase. Though landing a first-round pick would have strengthened the return, the Bulls appear content accumulating second-round assets while creating financial room for future moves.
As the deadline ends, Chicago’s direction is becoming clearer, even if the biggest swings are still to come in the offseason.