Timberwolves got the steal of the trade deadline and it’s not even close

The Minnesota Timberwolves struck gold at the 2026 NBA trade deadline by acquiring Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls. Dosunmu was one of the best guards on the open market, possessing the lights-out shooting and high-level defensive proficiency that perfectly fits Chris Finch's system.

Considering the Timberwolves acquired Dosunmu without losing a first-round pick—and managed to bring Mike Conley Jr. back—there was no bigger steal than Minnesota's heist from Chicago.

Minnesota landed Dosunmu and Julian Phillips in a trade that saw them part with Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round draft picks. Though it's never easy to lose assets, acquiring Dosunmu without giving up a single first-round draft choice was a massive victory for the front office.

Losing a former lottery pick in Dillingham clearly stings, but the harsh reality is that the Timberwolves are already a contender and their former point guard simply didn't fit their timeline.

Dillingham may go on to thrive in Chicago, but Dosunmu fits what Minnesota needs in the present day. The Timberwolves have already made back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals and have now set the standard of reaching the championship round.

With Dosunmu not only acting as an upgrade over Dillingham, but as a long-awaited replacement for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Timberwolves made out like bandits.

Timberwolves landed Ayo Dosunmu without losing a first-round pick

Dosunmu joins the Timberwolves with 2025-26 season averages of 15.0 points, 3.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.9 three-point field goals made in 26.4 minutes per game. He's amassed those numbers while shooting with elite efficiency at .514/.451/.857.

Dosunmu is currently one just two NBA players averaging at least 15.0 points while shooting 45.0 percent or better from beyond the arc. The other: New teammate Jaden McDaniels.

That alone offers reason for palpable intrigue. A deep and balanced offense that already has star-caliber firepower with All-NBA honorees Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle has gained another sharpshooter who can space the floor with mind-blowing efficiency.

Far more than just a spot-up shooter, Dosunmu is averaging 8.0 drives per game and a star-caliber 20.5 points and 5.0 assists per 36 minutes.

Ayo Dosunmu is the ceiling-raising talent the Timberwolves needed

For all of his offensive talent, the most significant value that Dosunmu projects to provide is on the defensive end of the floor. Though his offense is missed, defense is where the Timberwolves have had the most trouble replacing the nightly value that Alexander-Walker provided over the last two-and-a-half seasons.

With Dosunmu stepping into the rotation, however, Minnesota can roll out any number of lineups knowing that he's capable of defending multiple positions at a high level—on and away from the ball.

Opponents are currently shooting 4.4 percent worse when Dosunmu is the primary defender. That includes a massive decline of 9.6 percent on three-point field goals. He also ranks third in the NBA in ball screen navigation and places in the 80th percentile in off-ball chaser defense.

Considering the Timberwolves landed an efficient shooter, quality playmaker, well-rounded scorer, and high-level defender without losing a single first-round pick, Dosunmu is the steal of the season.