When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded for Ayo Dosunmu, the benefits were clear and multifaceted. Dosunmu's abilities as a consistent scorer off the bench were (understandably) discussed as a benefit to the team as a whole. However, there's no player who this helps more than Reid, and while it might be discussed a lot, we are seeing this advantage unfold right in front of our eyes.
Before the deadline, Reid was tasked as the lone consistent bench scorer. On the season, Naz accounts for 42.5 percent of the Wolves' bench points -- that's a huge burden. Since trading for Ayo, though, this number is down to a more reasonable 32.6 percent. Reid now has less pressure as a bench scorer, and the Wolves are a better team as a result.
Currently, Reid is in the midst of a four-game slump, averaging 8.3 points, on 38.9 percent shooting from the field and 21.4 percent shooting from 3-point range. Still, the Wolves are 4-0 in these past four games.
Before, a stretch like this would have doomed the Timberwolves, but now with Ayo in the mix, the Wolves are better equipped to handle these natural dips in production from Naz.
Ayo Dosunmu's bench scoring benefits everyone, especially Naz Reid
Reid is the best sixth man in the league, and luckily, before trading for Ayo, he never had too bad a stretch. Sure, he had a couple of bad games here and there, but he almost always bounced back.
Despite Reid's greatness, it's unreasonable to ask him to produce every night, and his shoulder injury is likely a factor in his recent play. Ayo's 10.5 points in the past four games might not jump off the page -- but I can assure you this has made a big difference. The most stark example was during Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies, in which Reid scored just three points, but Ayo poured in 14 and helped the Wolves secure a win.
Even if Ayo doesn't put up monster numbers each game, his ability to create for himself and spot-up makes him a nightly scoring threat that opposing defenses must account for. This wasn't a consistent element the Wolves had before the deadline.
In the playoffs, we'll truly see how much this benefits the Wolves, as they have a clear avenue to overcome an off night from Reid. During the Timberwolves' last two conference finals runs, they've rallied around the idea of eight starters.
While I can't say they have eight starters this time around, Ayo certainly gives them seven starter-caliber and trustworthy players, which frankly is a massive upgrade from six.