The Oklahoma City Thunder wasted no time making a roster change, waiving wing Dalen Terry on Sunday, a move that came less than a week after they signed him. This quick cut is a stark reminder of how fast things can change in the league, especially for players trying to solidify a spot.
A Lightning-Fast Exit After a Quick Addition
Terry’s stint with the Thunder was incredibly brief. He was brought in, and then almost immediately shown the door after the team made another move. OKC acquired a different wing, Niq Clifford, from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for a couple of second-round picks. That trade effectively sealed Terry’s fate, making him the odd man out in a hurry. His deal with OKC was fully non-guaranteed, so he’ll only receive a small, pro-rated slice of the league minimum, which is tough to swallow after such a short stay. It’s looking likely Terry will go unclaimed on waivers and head right back into free agency.
Terry’s Tumultuous Path Through the League
This isn’t the first time Terry has been on the move. The Chicago Bulls drafted him 18th overall back in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Arizona, a pretty high pick for a guy who’s now struggling to stick. He appeared in 218 games over his first four seasons, but apparently couldn’t flash enough to secure a dedicated rotation spot coming into this year. The Bulls even declined his fifth-year option, then dealt him to the 76ers at last year’s deadline. After failing to get an NBA deal in free agency, he linked up with the Warriors in a series of summer deals. He was even slated to be a centerpiece for the Santa Cruz Warriors, their G-League affiliate, which makes you wonder if that’s where he’ll land again. Terry is a 6’6″ wing who just turned 24, and he’s still seen as an “intriguing 3-and-D prospect.” The fact that a development-focused organization like the Thunder even gave him a trial window speaks volumes about that potential. But the numbers tell a different story so far: he’s averaged just 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 44.3%/31.4%/63.8% shooting in 11.2 minutes per game across his career. His two games with the Thunder saw him record 2 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 turnovers in 11 minutes total.
What’s Next for Dalen Terry?
So, what’s next for Dalen Terry? It’s a brutal part of the NBA business, seeing a young player with potential get churned through so quickly. If he goes unclaimed, a return to the Santa Cruz Warriors and the G-League seems like a real possibility. He’s still young, still has that “intriguing” tag, but he needs to find a way to consistently show enough to convince a team he deserves a roster spot. It’ll be interesting to see if he can catch on somewhere else and make a real impact.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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