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Naz Reid Praises Ayo Dosunmu's Maturity cover image

Ayo Dosunmu joined the Timberwolves at the trade deadline from the Chicago Bulls.

Video courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ayo Dosunmu may have been the flashiest trade deadline acquisition the Minnesota Timberwolves could have made, but when you're building a championship team, it's not always about the blockbusters and big names. 

Especially when you have stars like Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, who went into the All-Star break with a 41-point performance, building support pieces can be just as crucial. 

That's what the acquisition of Dosumu brings to the Timberwolves. He's already proven to be a reliable scorer and defender coming off the bench for the Timberwolves and paired with Bones Hyland, Minnesota has a sneaky amount of depth and some electric offensive pieces on hand to lend plenty of support to the main cast.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) dribbles the ball past Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) in the second half at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesMinnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) dribbles the ball past Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) in the second half at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Dosunmu's Contributions

Dosunmu is averaging 15 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 26.5 minutes per game this season for both the Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls, and not only are his hard numbers something that can be relied on, but the quickness he brings to the game is just as effective.

"He plays with a lot of pace. Speed, physicality, he's able to put the ball in the basket himself," Naz Reid said (via Timberwolves). "He can get everybody else involved as well. He's a great defender.... I think the biggest thing about him is his maturity. I get to talk to him off the floor and he gets to show us how mature he can be."

Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) against the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the second quarter at Target Center. Brad Rempel-Imagn ImagesAtlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) against the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the second quarter at Target Center. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Extra quickness coming off the bench is always a good thing and it makes the Timberwolves just that much more relentless to opposing teams, leaving them without much of a chance to catch a breath even if Edwards or Randle are off the court for the time being. 

Maturity Standing Out

But what stands out the most from Reid's comments on his teammate are the fact that he highlighted Dosunmu's maturity. Dosunmu is 26-years-old and has five seasons in the league, all with the Bulls prior to this past deadline.

While still young, that experience he brings to the court can help so much with not only game planning, but actually executing those plans on the court. 

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) enters the game for the first time as a member of the team and receives a standing ovation as he readies to play the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter at Target Center. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn ImagesMinnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) enters the game for the first time as a member of the team and receives a standing ovation as he readies to play the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter at Target Center. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Decision making is possibly the most important intangible quality that a guard can have and Dosunmu's maturity will definitely translate into that decision making. 

It also serves him to be able to make this transition to a new team. Going from the only team he's know his entire career to a not only new surroundings, but an entirely new position in the league as the Timberwolves are serious contenders would be a hard transition for anyone, but Dosunmu has handled it well and slotted in seamlessly.

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