Ayo Dosunmu gives the Wolves an ideal solution to Donte DiVincenzo problem

In the Minnesota Timberwolves’ last four outings prior to the All-Star break, Donte DiVincenzo hit a bit of a rough patch. The 29-year-old averaged just 5 points over that time while connecting on only five of his 23 3-point tries.

In his second full season with the squad, DiVincenzo has provided immense value for Minnesota. Some nights, he doesn’t have it, though. During the nights he struggles, recent trade pickup Ayo Dosunmu may have the opportunity to take his place in closing lineups. 

Dosunmu has already looked the part of impactful player for the Wolves

Now the Wolves have played three games since acquiring Dosunmu, and none of them have been relatively close. Thus, we haven’t really seen the Timberwolves have a ‘closing’ lineup at the end of a game since the trade for him.

After a subpar performance in his team debut, the 26-year-old Dosunmu has looked more like the player the Wolves hoped they were getting. In their last 2 games (both wins), the fifth-year guard has shot 14-21 from the field and scored 33 points. 

The 21 points Dosunmu finished with on Monday against the Atlanta Hawks is a total that DiVincenzo has reached just 3 times in his last 31 appearances.  Including his time with Chicago, Ayo has reached double figures in scoring his last 10 games, and 14 of his last 15.

Both players have done their best work in the fourth quarter this season

Including his time with the Bulls, Dosunmu has done much of his best work in the fourth quarter. In that final period, he is making 46.0% of his 3-point attempts and has a 62.8 effective field goal percentage.

The same can be said, though, for DiVincenzo. He is shooting 3s at a 41.6 percent clip in the fourth to go along with a 60.1 effective field goal percentage, his best mark in any of the four quarters.

One could say that Dosunmu has a slight advantage in the ball-handling department. Both are very capable 3-point shooters, with Donte more willing to let it fly from deep, but Ayo is the more willing driver.

It’s just something to think about, giving Ayo clutch time minutes, and something we may see soon after the All-Star break. Finch has to think about how a crunch time demotion could affect Donte, and the net ratings have been strong all season for Minnesota's starting lineup.

Dosumnu, at the very least, can be a quality replacement in late-game lineups if DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, or Jaden McDaniels were forced to miss a game.