The New York Knicks have completed a trade, sending Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Dalen Terry, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal took place in 2024 as the Knicks seek to strengthen their backcourt ahead of the upcoming season.
At 23 years old, Terry is expected to compete for a backup guard position in New York. Selected 18th in the 2022 NBA Draft, Terry is entering his fourth season in the NBA and has primarily served as a reserve player throughout his career with the Bulls.
Dalen Terry’s Role and Potential Fit with the Knicks
Terry has averaged 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over about 11 minutes per game in Chicago. Known mainly as a two-guard, his style is suited to the Knicks’ motion-heavy offensive system led by coach Mike Brown. Moreover, playing alongside established guards like Jalen Brunson could help Terry develop and expand his skill set.
Yabusele, a veteran forward who joined New York the previous summer, struggled to secure consistent playing time in Brown’s rotation, averaging just 8.9 minutes per game. In recent weeks, he was identified as the most likely trade candidate on the Knicks’ roster.
Moving to Chicago offers Yabusele an opportunity to regain the form he showed last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he contributed more substantially. Meanwhile, New York has acquired a young, promising wing player who aligns well with their current strategies.
Maintaining Trade Flexibility Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo Speculations
The Knicks’ decision to trade Yabusele for Terry in a straight swap suggests careful planning by the front office to keep trade assets available, especially given ongoing discussions around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Reports indicate New York is cautious about entering a bidding war for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar either before the trade deadline or during the summer.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained,
“The Knicks believe in this team, and that could end up being an excellent assessment or that could end up being a mistake,”
highlighting New York’s confidence in their current roster. He added,
“But they believed in this team last summer when Giannis was sort of loosely available. They didn’t make an aggressive offer at that time to move those talks forward.”
Windhorst further noted,
“If they want to win a bidding war for Giannis now, I think it would take a three- or four-team trade. That is just not happening. They are not showing that aggression to get Giannis right now.”
This suggests the Knicks prefer incremental improvements while keeping future trade options open.
The addition of Terry provides a tactical upgrade, allowing New York to bolster their guard rotation without sacrificing assets that might be needed for a large-scale trade involving Giannis.
Guerschon Yabusele’s Initial Enthusiasm with the Knicks
Upon signing with the Knicks last summer, Yabusele expressed excitement about joining a strong team aiming for a championship. Speaking to Arthur Puybertier of EuroBasket, Yabusele said,
“When you look at New York, you can already see that the franchise has risen a lot in recent years,”
and added,
“…They are conference finalists; the collective project is visible and very interesting for me. They are a very good team that plays very well together and is playing for the title! Having this goal was something important for me, I want to play for something.”
He also relished the opportunity to play in Madison Square Garden, stating,
“Apart from that, New York is a historic team. Playing at Madison Square Garden is the dream of every NBA player, including mine! It’s a special place, I’m very happy to be there!”
Despite Yabusele’s initial optimism, his role in New York was limited, leading to this trade that now offers him a chance to secure a more significant role with the Bulls. While not the outcome he initially envisioned when joining New York via free agency, the move could prove beneficial for his career trajectory.
The New York Knicks are trading Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls for Dalen Terry, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
