Dalen Terry looking for his opportunity in second NBA season: "I've got to lay everything I have on the table and see where that takes me"

Terry prepares to kick off his second season in the NBA and how he plans to make an impact.

High draft picks don’t normally ride the bench for most of the season and log in a total of 214 minutes. However, that was the reality Dalen Terry faced in his first year in the NBA. With the Bulls gearing to supposedly build on their breakout season in 2022, they often went with more proven players, leaving Terry to watch from the sidelines.

With his rookie season now in the rearview mirror, Terry is preparing for his sophomore campaign, facing many of the same challenges he faced in his rookie year. He’s looking to get more playing time and show the Bulls what he can bring to the table.

"I can't go back in time and change what happened last year with not having the opportunity," Terry said in a talk with Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. "But just coming into a situation where this is a dog-eat-dog world, I’ve got to lay everything I have on the table and see where that takes me."

Put in the work

Rather than sulk over his lack of playing time last season, Terry used the summer as a springboard for growth. He worked on his game and improved in areas where he may have been lacking before—specifically, shooting. The former Arizona Wildcat made 25 percent of his three-point attempts last season, although he shot 41 percent from beyond the arc in three G League games.

“Shooting, just being shot-ready. We’re in the gym every day. Every day early in the morning,” Terry said, referring to his workout sessions with the team’s director of player development Peter Patton.

Terry also worked out with his teammate, Bulls star DeMar DeRozan, joining the veteran on his famed early morning sessions in California.

The odds stacked up against him

The road to a spot in the rotation is littered with challenges. Whether it’s his lack of experience or the quality of the players he’s competing with, Terry is oftentimes faced with an uphill battle. However, Terry is neither scared nor fazed, as he feels confident about his chances due to the amount of work he’s put in.

“You know me, I’ve always got confidence,” Terry said. “That’s not something I ever lack. But I think confidence comes with work, and I know how hard I busted my ass this whole summer.”