Knicks Land Dalen Terry In Swap With Bulls As Trade Deadline Drama Unfolds

The NBA trade deadline is always a whirlwind, but this year’s late-night swap between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls has fans, analysts, and even players buzzing across the league. On February 4, 2026, the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks agreed to a deal that sends 23-year-old guard Dalen Terry to New York in exchange for veteran power forward Guerschon Yabusele. The move, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, marks a significant shift for both franchises as they navigate the final stretch of the season and look to solidify their rosters for the playoffs and beyond.

Dalen Terry’s journey in Chicago has been a mix of promise and frustration. Drafted 18th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft after two seasons at Arizona, Terry played in 204 games for the Bulls, starting just seven times. Over his three-plus seasons in Chicago, he averaged 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. While those numbers might not leap off the page, context is everything. Terry spent much of his time on the fringes of the rotation, often finding himself behind a crowded backcourt. Still, recent injuries to the Bulls’ guards opened the door for more playing time, and Terry responded with increased production. In his final four games as a Bull, he averaged 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks across 22 minutes per game, shooting an impressive .478 from the field and a scorching .545 from beyond the arc.

“The human in me would say it’s tough, but you just have to understand that this is what you get called upon for, so I’m just doing my best to try to stay ready every time I get a chance to play, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that,” Terry told The Chicago Sun-Times just days before the trade. That attitude, combined with his recent uptick in performance, made him an intriguing asset for the Knicks, who are currently tied for second place in the Eastern Conference and dealing with injuries to key shooting guards Josh Hart and Miles McBride.

In New York, Terry will likely compete for minutes off the bench with Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Mohamed Diawara. The Knicks, eyeing a deep playoff run, hope Terry’s defensive energy and improving three-point shot—he’s hitting a career-best 41.3% from deep this season—can bolster a backcourt that’s been hit hard by injuries. Terry’s expiring rookie contract also gives the Knicks some future financial flexibility, a not-so-subtle nod to the franchise’s ongoing efforts to balance competitiveness with prudent cap management.

For the Bulls, the acquisition of Guerschon Yabusele signals a different kind of recalibration. Yabusele, now 30, has had one of the more unconventional NBA journeys in recent memory. Drafted 16th overall by the Boston Celtics in 2016, the French forward initially opted to play overseas, including a stint with the CBA’s Shanghai Sharks, before joining the Celtics for two seasons. After a brief NBA run, he returned to Europe and made a name for himself with Real Madrid and the French national team, earning a silver medal at both the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.

Yabusele’s return to the NBA in 2024-25 with the Philadelphia 76ers was a revelation. Over 70 games, he averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 27.1 minutes per contest, shooting .501 from the field and .380 from three-point range. That breakout year earned him a two-year, $11.7 million deal with the Knicks in the 2025 offseason. However, his time in New York has not gone as planned. Yabusele has appeared in just 41 games this season, averaging 2.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and shooting 39.3% in only 8.9 minutes per game. Head coach Mike Brown has largely kept him out of the rotation, and the Knicks’ desire to avoid his $5.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season was reportedly a key factor in the trade.

From Chicago’s perspective, the deal is a bit of a head-scratcher. The Bulls have spent the trade deadline stockpiling young players, draft picks, and expiring contracts. Swapping a 23-year-old guard on an expiring rookie deal for a 30-year-old big man with future money owed seems to run counter to that strategy. But the Bulls’ frontcourt has been thin, and Yabusele’s skill set—if he can recapture his Philadelphia form—could provide much-needed depth and versatility. The hope in Chicago is that a change of scenery and a more significant role might unlock the version of Yabusele that impressed so many just last season.

“Yabusele did at least have a very solid 2024-25 campaign with Philly, averaging 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his 27.1 minutes a night. It’s why the Knicks were so keen on signing him this summer as they looked to bolster their depth,” noted a Bulls beat writer. The Bulls may be betting that Yabusele’s Olympic pedigree and recent NBA success are more indicative of his true value than his limited minutes in New York.

The trade also comes against the backdrop of a flurry of moves by the Bulls at this year’s deadline. In addition to the Terry-Yabusele swap, Chicago acquired Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley in a separate deal, while sending Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons. The team also traded Coby White and Conley for Collin Sexton and Ousmane Dieng, as well as three second-round picks. With the trade deadline looming at 3 p.m. on February 5, 2026, the Bulls were reportedly still engaged in talks to potentially move Ayo Dosunmu, underscoring the front office’s desire to reshape the roster on the fly.

For both teams, this move is about more than just numbers on a stat sheet. The Knicks are betting on Terry’s upside and immediate utility as they chase an Eastern Conference crown, while the Bulls are hoping Yabusele can provide veteran presence and frontcourt stability. Whether this swap will pay dividends remains to be seen, but it’s clear that both franchises are determined to make bold moves in pursuit of their respective goals.

As the dust settles and the trade deadline clock ticks down, all eyes will be on how Terry adapts to the spotlight of Madison Square Garden and whether Yabusele can rediscover the form that made him a coveted free agent just a year ago. With playoff implications hanging in the balance, the NBA’s relentless churn shows no signs of slowing down.