Timberwolves were proven right for trading Ayo Dosunmu before he had even played a game

If you’re a Minnesota Timberwolves fan, you’ve probably been thinking about Ayo Dosunmu a lot since Thursday’s trade. His well-rounded skill set will provide the Wolves with a much-needed punch off the bench. If you forgot how much the Wolves needed a trade (even one around the margins), or thought the value wasn’t right for Ayo, Friday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans should be a stark reminder.

Leading by 18 in the third quarter, Minnesota lost by four points to the 14-win Pelicans. As I watched the game, I kept thinking about how Dosunmu’s presence would have helped the Wolves. Despite not playing tonight, Dosunmu is expected to make his Wolves debut on Sunday.

After the trade, some people wondered if the Wolves paid too much for Dosunmu. Giving up a 2024 lottery pick in Rob Dillingham, along with Leonard Miller and four second-round picks, might seem like a high price to pay for a quality role player entering free agency this summer.

Still, the Wolves have almost all the hallmarks of a championship team, and Ayo could very well be the missing piece. I know this sounds crazy after losing to a lowly Pelicans team, but there’s no denying that this game is a perfect reminder of why the Wolves traded for Dosunmu.

The Wolves could have used Ayo Dosunmu on Friday, and he will give the team a boost soon

Perhaps the most obvious aspect of Dosunmu’s game that the Wolves could have benefited from on Friday was his shooting. It is striking that the 1.80 meter tall guard is making an absurd 45.1 percent of his three-pointers this season. On Friday, the Wolves made just 32.1 percent of their outside shots. The trio of Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo have been reliable all season. However, on Friday they shot just 3-of-15.

Shootout shooting nights will always happen, but having another reliable shooter in Dosunmu will help offset these poor games. It certainly would have helped against the Pelicans.

The Wolves’ inconsistent bench play outside of Naz Reid has been a huge problem this season, and it’s something Dosunmu can address in a big way. During the Pelicans game, Minnesota’s bench outside Bones Hyland (20 points) struggled, but for the most part Reid was their only source of bench creation.

In addition to Dosunmu’s shooting, he is also a fantastic finisher, ranking in the 96th percentile for rim shot creation according to the Basketball Index.

Perimeter defense was another issue Friday. The Pelicans shot an impressive 44.1 percent from beyond the arc. Of course the shooting variety was a factor, but so was the Wolves’ poor ball control and rotations. Opponents are shooting just 26 percent from three-point range when defended by Dosunmu and 41.4 percent from the field.

Certainly, having an extra, energetic offensive defenseman would have benefited the Wolves. Overall, the Wolves’ energy fluctuated throughout the year, declining again in the second half. Adding a new player who brings intensity and grit every night will benefit the team.

After the game, Rudy Gobert called out the Wolves for their inconsistent energy. However, he also noted that Dosunmu could help solve this problem.

No doubt, Ayo can boost the Wolves defense and give them an edge they have been missing since losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker. For whatever reason, the Wolves seem disconnected and out of sync too often. Regardless, I am confident that Dosunmu can help turn the tide.

It wasn’t necessarily an issue in Friday’s match, but Dosunmu’s steady ball handling and high IQ play will benefit the Wolves on a regular basis. Just everything Ayo offers can help the Wolves, and I can’t wait to see what impact he will have on the team.