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Ayo Dosunmu was acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves at the NBA trade deadline from the Chicago Bulls in an effort to increase their bench scoring.
Minnesota lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the offseason to the Atlanta Hawks, leaving them with a big hole off their bench as Alexander-Walker was a strong two-way player and secondary scorer for the team.
Minnesota gave up Rob Dillingham, who was the 8th overall pick in 2024, and multiple second round picks to get Dosunmu.
The deal worked out as Dosunmu provided an immediate spark with his scoring and athleticism off the bench. He averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists whle shooting 52% from the field and 41% from three in 24 games with Minnesota.
He was fantastic in the first round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, averaging 21.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 60% from the field and 54% from three.
According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the price might be a bit too high.
He writes, “After trading for Ayo Dosunmu at the deadline, the Minnesota Timberwolves want to re-sign him. According to NBA executives who’ve spoken with HoopsHype, Dosunmu’s range is projected to be somewhere north of $18 million annually and could reach the low $20 million range.”
Dosunmu made $7.5 million this past season, and his play with Minnesota after the trade and in the playoffs is going to lend itself to a raise.
Minnesota does have his Bird Rights, which will allow them to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. The team does have space in the 1st apron, but an expensive contract for Dosunmu will push them closer to the second apron without subsequent moves.
It's unlikely that they have a choice. They don't have the cap space to potentially sign a suitable replacement, and they already lack the depth to not make their best effort to retain him.
Losing Dosunmu, and knowing you'll be without DiVincenzo for the majority of the season, puts the team very much behind the eight-ball in terms of rotation players in their backcourt.
Behind Anthony Edwards would be just Terrence Shannon Jr., Mike Conley, and Bones Hyland, who are also unrestricted free agents, and while Conley could return, that's still a weak backcourt rotation compared to the other top teams in the Western Conference.
Minnesota could make moves in the trade market to acquire more depth at the guard position, but bringing back a player who is familiar with the team and system goes a long way in keeping chemistry and stability.
Continue reading...
Minnesota lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the offseason to the Atlanta Hawks, leaving them with a big hole off their bench as Alexander-Walker was a strong two-way player and secondary scorer for the team.
Minnesota gave up Rob Dillingham, who was the 8th overall pick in 2024, and multiple second round picks to get Dosunmu.
The deal worked out as Dosunmu provided an immediate spark with his scoring and athleticism off the bench. He averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists whle shooting 52% from the field and 41% from three in 24 games with Minnesota.
He was fantastic in the first round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, averaging 21.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 60% from the field and 54% from three.
Can Minnesota Retain Ayo?
According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the price might be a bit too high.
He writes, “After trading for Ayo Dosunmu at the deadline, the Minnesota Timberwolves want to re-sign him. According to NBA executives who’ve spoken with HoopsHype, Dosunmu’s range is projected to be somewhere north of $18 million annually and could reach the low $20 million range.”
Dosunmu made $7.5 million this past season, and his play with Minnesota after the trade and in the playoffs is going to lend itself to a raise.
Minnesota does have his Bird Rights, which will allow them to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. The team does have space in the 1st apron, but an expensive contract for Dosunmu will push them closer to the second apron without subsequent moves.
Should They Retain Ayo?
It's unlikely that they have a choice. They don't have the cap space to potentially sign a suitable replacement, and they already lack the depth to not make their best effort to retain him.
Losing Dosunmu, and knowing you'll be without DiVincenzo for the majority of the season, puts the team very much behind the eight-ball in terms of rotation players in their backcourt.
Behind Anthony Edwards would be just Terrence Shannon Jr., Mike Conley, and Bones Hyland, who are also unrestricted free agents, and while Conley could return, that's still a weak backcourt rotation compared to the other top teams in the Western Conference.
Minnesota could make moves in the trade market to acquire more depth at the guard position, but bringing back a player who is familiar with the team and system goes a long way in keeping chemistry and stability.
Continue reading...
