Needing perimeter depth after a series of injuries, the Oklahoma City Thunder reached into the G League and signed Dalen Terry of the Santa Cruz Warriors to a standard two-year contract, although the second year is non-guaranteed, a story broken by ESPN’s Shams Charania and confirmed by other reports.

Terry, a 6'6" defense-first wing, was the No. 18 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Arizona. He played three-and-a-half seasons with Chicago before being traded at last February’s deadline to New York, which flipped him to New Orleans, and then the Pelicans waived him. Terry then signed a two-way deal with the 76ers and was promoted to a standard contract at the end of last season, but was waived to make room on the roster so the team could acquire LeBron James. Terry was in training camp with the Golden State Warriors and was set to report to their G League affiliate when the Thunder called.

Across 218 NBA games, Terry has averaged 3.5 points per game. The positive spin for Thunder fans, and why the team took a chance on him, is that he is a plus defender on the wing whose 3-point shooting has improved each season, hitting 36.4% overall last season.

Bringing in Terry helps the Thunder with depth in two ways. First, while he is not going to play a significant role, Terry can give them some wing minutes. Plus, by filling the 15th spot on the roster, the Thunder can use their two-way players without the restrictions of the “under-15" rule.

The Thunder are without three starters due to significant injuries. All-NBA wing Jalen Williams is out with a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle, while All-Defense guard Cason Wallace is dealing with a torn labrum. There is no timetable for either player, but if they return at all this season, it will be late in the campaign. The Thunder also are without All-NBA big man Chet Holmgren due to a right knee patellar tear, but he is expected to return sometime after Christmas (likely in early 2027).

The Thunder calmed the waters around them last night with a 117-112 win over the Cavaliers behind a big night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.