Ayo Dosunmu offers an ideal solution to the Timberwolves’ biggest problems

The Minnesota Timberwolves have lacked defensive play and depth all season. These issues made their path to another deep playoff run look narrow, and it was clear that a trade deadline was necessary. Luckily, Tim Connelly came through and landed Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (along with Julian Phillips) at the deadline. The price of Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks may seem lofty to some. However, for a Wolves team that lacks depth and guard play, this is a move you make 10 out of 10 times.

Crucially, Dosunmu provides an ideal solution to Wolves’ key issues of guard play and poor depth. Leading up to the trade deadline, Dosunmu stood out to me as an ideal trade target for the Wolves. Minnesota needs a guard who can provide a little bit of everything, and that’s exactly what Dosunmu can do.

His mix of three-point shooting, connective playmaking, perimeter defense and shotmaking ticks all the boxes for what the Wolves need. Minnesota has been looking for a player like Dosunmu since losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency.

Dosunmu is a perfect fit for the Wolves

The Illinois product is having a career season with averages of 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 51.4/45.1/85.7 shooting splits. It’s reasonable to expect these numbers to drop slightly as the Wolves top six fill out. Nevertheless, what matters is his ability to score consistently off the bench, something Wolves lacked outside of Naz Reid.

Notably, the Wolves currently rank 23rd in bench points (with Reid responsible for an absurd 44.5 percent of the team’s bench points) and 29th in total bench minutes.

Dosunmu can create for himself at a high level and ranks in the 96th percentile in rim shot creation and 88th in finishing talent, according to Basketball Index. His size, strength and skill make him a powerful downhill finisher. He gives Minnesota the consistent bench spark they’ve been missing outside of Reid.

Perhaps the best aspect of Dosunmu’s game is his all-around versatility. He is not a pure microwave scorer who needs the ball in his hand to succeed. In addition to his stellar 45.1 percent shooting percentage from three-point range, Dosunmu ranks in the 90th percentile in 3PT shotmaking efficiency according to the Basketball Index.

This ability to knock down 3s makes Dosunmu a good fit with anyone in the Wolves lineup – especially Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. It’s impressive that only two players in the entire NBA are averaging 15 points and shooting 45 percent from beyond the arc: Dosunmu and Jaden McDaniels!

What about the playmaking, which has been a key issue for the Wolves all year? Although he is more of a combo guard than a natural point guard, Dosunmu is a reliable ball handler and reliable decision maker. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.69 is proof of this. As does the fact that it ranks in the 91st percentile for help-to-use ratio according to Cleaning the Glass.

Again, Dosunmu isn’t your classic point guard, but I would consider him a reasonable solution to the problems Minnesota has had due to the lack of quality PG play.

What about the defense? You guessed it, Dosunmu can defend too! At 6-foot-1, he has solid positional size and is a tenacious defender on the ball. While not an All-Defensive level player, he is clearly a net positive on that end of the floor. Impressively, opponents are shooting just 41.4 percent when defended by Dosunmu.

The Wolves lacked a reliable offensive defense outside of McDaniels. Jaylen Clark has helped a bit, but his offense is far too raw to play sustainable minutes. Dosunmu solves this problem.

Despite the Wolves showing defensive inconsistencies this season, defense remains their identity and they needed to trade for a player that fits this identity.

Ultimately, the Wolves need an all-rounder in their backcourt, and that’s exactly what they’ll get with Dosunmu. While he may not be a big name, Dosunmu is the perfect addition to this core and could help the Wolves get ready for another deep playoff run.

Take a bow Tim Connelly!