It always seemed likely that Ayo Dosunmu would return to the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer. He fit in seamlessly with the team from the get-go, and there aren't many clear suitors on the open market. During a recent livestream on Bleacher Report, Jake Fischer may have quietly spilled the beans that a deal is in place for Ayo to return to Minnesota.
“Definitely, Minnesota is in need of a major clear ball handler next to Anthony Edwards, and they were looking at guys to do that. They brought back Ayo Dosunmu, though this summer. I think he is probably the biggest addition that we can expect from Minnesota at this juncture," Fischer said.Â
Yes, the second part of this quote is problematic (more on that here), but for now, let's be positive: Ayo seems primed to stay in Minnesota, and a deal could already be in place. Undoubtedly, this is great news for Wolves fans.
Of course, free agency doesn't start until the end of the month, but Fischer's comments indicate that the two sides have already agreed to a deal.
Re-signing Ayo Dosunmu is an essential move for the Timberwolves
Given that Fischer made Dosunmu's return sound like a certainty, I'm curious whether the three-year $52.4 extension that the Wolves can offer before free agency starts will end up being the deal.Â
By all accounts, that's solid value for Ayo, and it could be enough to talk him out of testing the open market.
Fischer saying that Dosunmu is the biggest addition we can expect from Minnesota is an undeniable disappointment, as fans had their hopes set on the Wolves landing a co-star alongside Anthony Edwards. At the same time, Dosunmu's return to Minnesota will be a welcome sight for fans.Â
If the Wolves pull off an unexpected move for a star, they'll need Dosunmu's versatile skill set. He can spot-up from 3-point range, attack the basket, defend, and serve as a connective playmaker -- all things you need from a complementary guard. And if Dosunmu is truly their biggest addition, the Wolves will be banking on him being able to scale up as a creator.Â
Ayo posted well-rounded averages of 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 52.1/41.4/92.5 shooting splits upon arriving in Minnesota. His absurd 43-point performance in Game 4 of the first-round offers some level of hope that he can scale up to a bigger role -- and the Wolves might need him to do just that.Â
Dosunmu's well-rounded skill set made him an ideal fit with the Wolves from the jump, and after losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker last year, they must retain Ayo this summer.Â
Ultimately, whatever the next iteration of the Wolves is, re-signing Ayo is an essential move, and from that standpoint, Fischer's update is a positive one.Â
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