The Oklahoma City Thunder were in need of reinforcements. Stricken by injuries, Mark Daigneault’s squad had just one move left to make, an open slot on the roster, and they chose to deploy it by betting on Dalen Terry. This move was confirmed by Shams Charania, an ESPN reporter, who notes that the wing has signed a two-year deal aimed at filling the gap the 2025 champions have in that position.
G/F Dalen Terry has agreed on a two-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell ESPN. Terry enters his fifth NBA season after the former No. overall 18 pick spent time in Chicago and Philadelphia, and went to training camp with Golden State last month. https://t.co/JlVzvyRcC4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 3, 2026
Terry had up to now been part of the Santa Cruz Warriors squad, Golden State’s G League affiliate, after taking part in the San Francisco club’s preseason but failing to win a spot on the NBA roster. Nevertheless, the Thunder’s injury issues opened this door, marking the 2026-27 season as his fifth in the NBA after stints with Chicago and Philadelphia, respectively.
Dalen spent the initial years of his career with the Bulls after being selected 18th overall in the 2022 Draft, but he never fully convinced the Illinois franchise, with his role always fairly limited. Thus, after three seasons and a half, they moved him on in the trade market and he ended up being waived, though a two-way contract with the 76ers kept him connected to the league.
Now, in a team with higher competitive expectations but one that has shown it can make room for nearly anyone who has passed through in recent years, he will need to prove that he deserves a spot in real competition. The injuries to Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams, along with the usual health issues of Alex Caruso, open the door for reserves on the wings, and although Dalen Terry will likely begin far down the rotation, perhaps even behind other two-way players such as Dix and Barnhizer, we will see if he can climb the ladder in Daigneault’s rotation.
This is, nonetheless, a signing that could raise eyebrows, as it comes just days after the Thunder reversed course on Ochai Agbaji, a deal that had already been sealed. At the time, the rationale seemed to be Holmgren’s injury, which compelled OKC to focus on adding a frontcourt piece, but they ultimately ended up opting for another player who, while taller than Agbaji, also handles perimeter duties.
