Timberwolves have an ideal budget trade target hiding in plain sight

As of Monday, the NBA trade deadline is officially just a month away. Currently, the Minnesota Timberwolves own a 23-13 record, good for sixth-place in the Western Conference. They are bunched close, though, with the third-fifth seeds.

Fans have pointed out a few obvious needs for the Timberwolves as the trade deadline approaches. Could Ayo Dosunmu of the Chicago Bulls be a potential fit for Minnesota?

Ayo Dosunmu is a realistic trade target

Turning 26 years old on January 17, Dosunmu is in his fifth season, all with the Bulls, after they selected him in the second round (38th overall) in the 2021 NBA Draft. He is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard who has split his time in the league as a starter and reserve.

Dosunmu is on the final year (worth about $7.5 million) of a three-year/$21 million deal. The Bulls re-signed Josh Giddey this past offseason and have Coby White as an impending free agent next offseason as well.

At 17-19, Chicago currently sits ninth in the Eastern Conference, putting them in a play-in position they seem to be in annually. For financial reasons, it might not be feasible for the Bulls to bring back White and Dosunmu, so both names have at times been mentioned in trade rumors. 

In 30 games (seven starts) this season, Dosunmu is averaging a career-high 14.0 points to go along with career-best shooting marks in 3-point (43.0 percent) and free-throw (86.1 percent) accuracy.

Ayo would be a great fit with the Timberwolves

With the Timberwolves being close to being a second apron trade, it makes it more difficult for them to make deals. However, with Dosunmu’s expiring contract being so reasonable, it would be easier for them to consummate a trade with the Bulls.

As long as Donte DiVincenzo remains after the trade, Dosunmu would likely become a key cog off the Timberwolves’ bench. Other than Naz Reid, Minnesota has been searching all season for a second reliable reserve player. Dosunmu would become their second-best bench piece right from the get-go (and in some games, their best).

He might not be as good as Jaylen Clark on the defensive end, but he’s still a net positive on that end. Plus, his playmaking and shooting trump what Clark can do on the offensive end. Dosunmu’s presence may not even eliminate Clark from the rotation (perhaps it will be Terrence Shannon Jr. when he returns from injury).

Dosunmu isn’t a sexy name for the Timberwolves to add. He certainly would be an impactful one, though.