The Minnesota Timberwolves have a dire need for more power forward depth, and while that has some pondering if Ayo Dosunmu could become a trade candidate at the deadline, the recently made-rich guard should have nothing to worry about.
Minnesota has proven itself as one of the best teams in the Western Conference in recent years, evidenced by the three straight seasons in which they've won at least one playoff series. Prior to last season's second-round exit, the Timberwolves made the Western Conference finals in back-to-back seasons. However, Minnesota hasn't been able to take that next step and reach the NBA Finals, largely because they've regularly had one weakness on the roster that has held them back.
While injury issues played a large part in Minnesota's postseason exit last season, the point guard position was the clear weak spot for most of the year. The team lacked depth at the position, which forced an aging Mike Conley and non-lead guards like Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo into minutes at the one.
Thankfully, guard position certainly shouldn't be an issue going forward. The team made one of the biggest blockbusters of the offseason when they traded for LaMelo Ball. With Edwards still in town, Minnesota will have one of the best backcourts in the NBA.
Plus, Dosunmu, who is a combo guard, signed a five-year, $112 million deal. Bones Hyland has even proven himself as a capable rotation player, and rookie shooting guard Isaiah Evans was one of the steals of the 2026 NBA Draft. The point is that Dosunmu is a part of Minnesota's sudden guard depth, which would make trading him unwise.
Trading Ayo Dosunmu wouldn't be a smart way for the Timberwolves to solve their PF problem
All of this newfound guard depth came at the cost of power forwards, though. The Timberwolves traded Julius Randle away this offseason, and Naz Reid came to follow. Those losses could force Jaden McDaniels up a slot into the starting power forward position in the starting lineup. He'll be backed up by Trey Lyles, predominant small forwards, and unproven players like Jaylen Clark, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Josh Green, none of whom evoke a lot of confidence for a team trying to make a championship push.
This lack of true fours on the roster is why Minnesota was in on the LeBron James sweepstakes, but with The King choosing the Philadelphia 76ers, the Timberwolves are still left with major power forward question marks.
Even so, consolidation in the form of trading Dosunmu for a frontcourt player isn't the answer. The Timberwolves invested heavily in their recent trade deadline acquisition for a reason, and it wasn't to move on from him not long after giving him a hefty long-term contract.
The Illinois product averaged 14.4 points per game on 41.4 percent shooting from deep with the Timberwolves last year. He was even better in the postseason, where he played a large part in Minnesota's triumph over the Denver Nuggets.
The Timberwolves certainly will explore ways to add power forward help, but McDaniels is more than capable of holding down the position for now, and small ball isn't yet out of style.
With the playmaking that Ball will bring to town, combined with the unmatched athleticism and slashing ability of Edwards, the Timberwolves need the versatility and 3-point marksmanship that Dosunmu provides, and he won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
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