Dalen Terry must earn a standard contract during training camp, but his size, defensive versatility and untapped upside make him worth Golden State’s final roster spot.
The Golden State Warriors are taking an intriguing chance on former first-round pick Dalen Terry.
Golden State and Terry agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. The agreement gives Terry an invitation to training camp but does not guarantee him a place on the regular-season roster.
Terry is no longer eligible for a two-way contract because he has completed four NBA seasons. If the Warriors waive him, the most likely outcome would be a move to their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.
Golden State should give him a legitimate opportunity to prevent that outcome.
Terry offers tools the Warriors need
Terry was selected No. 18 overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2022 NBA Draft, but he has yet to establish a consistent NBA role.
The 24-year-old has averaged 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 44.3% across 218 career games. He played for Chicago and Philadelphia before the 76ers moved on from him during their offseason roster changes.
Those numbers do not immediately suggest Terry deserves an NBA contract. His physical profile and style of play make the situation more interesting.
Terry stands 6-foot-6 and possesses a 7-foot-1 wingspan. He can defend multiple perimeter positions, handle the ball and create opportunities for teammates. His length allows him to disrupt passing lanes while giving Golden State another option against bigger guards and wings.
The Warriors need that versatility after Moses Moody suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon. Terry cannot replace Moody’s shooting, but he can offer some of the defensive flexibility the team lost.
Golden State can bet on upside
Terry’s inconsistent outside shot remains his biggest obstacle.
Defenders have been willing to leave him open, which can shrink the floor for an offense built around Stephen Curry. Terry will need to show during training camp that his shooting and decision-making have progressed enough for coach Steve Kerr to trust him.
The Warriors, however, do not need him to become a featured scorer. They need him to defend, push the pace, move the ball and create energy during limited minutes.
Terry also fits Golden State’s preference for players who can fill several roles. His ability to function as a large secondary ballhandler could distinguish him from more specialized players competing for the final roster spots.
Brandon Williams, Georges Niang and Charles Bassey are among the other players expected to be involved in Golden State’s crowded camp competition, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Terry will have to earn his position through preseason performance. Nothing about an Exhibit 10 agreement promises him a place on the team.
Still, the Warriors already know what established veterans can provide. Using their final spot on a 24-year-old former first-round selection would give them something different: a low-risk developmental swing with enough defensive talent to help immediately.
