The Chicago Bulls’ 2022 first-round pick knows what’s in store for him this season after failing to live up to manager Alex Caruso’s expectations.
One of the most baffling decisions the Chicago Bulls have made in a while is letting Alex Caruso go at a price.
The Bulls acquired Caruso last year in a straight trade in exchange for Josh Guidi. Guidi is a great player, but I was not impressed that the Bulls didn’t ask for draft compensation.
The Bulls replaced Caruso with Lonzo Ball, but they also had injury issues. However, the Bulls surprisingly traded him this offseason.
Another young star they acquired in hopes of replicating Caruso’s energy failed to live up to expectations. And now he’s preparing for what could be the biggest season of his career.
Chicago Bulls star Darren Terry spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times ahead of the final year of his rookie contract.
He admits he has to live up to expectations and hopes to finally live up to the Alex Caruso mold and earn a new contract next season.
“Well, yeah, this is a big year for me. I think this is how people are looking at it. They don’t see me as a guy that’s going to score 20 or 30 points. Yeah, I was drafted to be like (former Bulls guard) Alex Caruso.
“OK, he can guard, he can do all the little things, he can be a connector, and that’s what I’m trying to do this year.
“Similarly, in my eyes (in the Bulls’ preseason win against the Cavaliers on Thursday), it looked like I was playing great. But when you look at the box score, I’m guarding Donovan Mitchell.
“I was tough on him. I was protecting DeAndre Hunter. I was tough on him. I have to live like that, you know?”
“I remember being in the locker room when AC was still here, some days he would score six points, some days he would score 20 points.
“It’s going to be that way. I’ve got to hang my hat on the defensive end. So when people try to put pressure on me to be what I’m supposed to be, I’m just going to be myself.”
The same report revealed that the Chicago Bulls are not currently considering extending Darren Terry’s contract.
There have been no serious discussions about a contract extension between the Bulls and Darren Terry, who was selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft.
“That means Terry will play through the season and go through restricted free agency. And in this NBA climate, there’s no promise of gold at the end of the rainbow.
“It’s up to Terry to get the Bulls’ attention, so they want to continue to invest and showcase his skills for the other 29 NBA teams.”
Terry failed to make an impression with the Bulls, averaging just 3.5 points per game in his first three seasons. Unless he makes a big jump next season, he is expected to become a free agent in 2026.