The Timberwolves are all in on Ayo Dosunmu.
Ayo Dosunmu was an impactful pickup for the Minnesota Timberwolves when they traded for him from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline and now that Dosunmu is an unrestricted free agent, the Timberwolves are determined to keep him around.
In 24 games with the Timberwolves after the deadline, Dosunmu averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while being a huge spark mostly off the bench and a scrappy defensive presence.
He was the extra push that the Timberwolves needed to compete in the Western Conference and he made his presence known in the Timberwolves opening round upset of the Denver Nuggets, though a calf injury limited the time that he spent on the court both in that series and in the second round against the San Antonio Spurs.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the first half at Moda Center. Soobum Im-Imagn ImagesDosunmu's Relationship with Minnesota
Dosunmu spoke fondly of the Timberwolves during his exit interview, praising both his fit within the team and the way that the fans embraced him as a newcomer to the organization.
Even though Dosunmu also added during that same interview that he was excited for free agency, mostly due to the freedom he would have to negotiate as an unrestricted free agent, he only had good things to say about Minnesota.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrate making a shot against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesThat fondness that he has for the team, along with the positive experience he had playing in the playoffs, even if it ended sooner than anyone on the Timberwolves would have liked, is what has led the Timberwolves front office to feel confident about their chances to retain Dosunmu.
Connelly's Approach
Tim Connelly, president of basketball operations for Minnesota, also made it clear just how much of a target Dosunmu is for the team.
“Ayo’s our most important free agent. He’s a guy we thought we knew pretty well and we liked him from afar," Connelly said (via Timberwolves). "He hadn’t seen the second round of the playoffs. He loved the fans. He talked about the fans all the time, how loud the building was. We’re pretty optimistic that we’ll get something done there."
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) celebrate against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at Target Center. Brad Rempel-Imagn ImagesDosunmu's fit with star Anthony Edwards is one of several reasons that the Timberwolves are so intent on bringing him back. The two formed an elite pair and the kind of synergy on offense that they produced together is sure to be a big part of Minnesota's game-planning going forward should the team follow through on it's intention to bring Dosunmu back.
Of course, anything can happen in free agency, but the way both sides have spoken, a continuation of the Dosunmu era in Minnesota looks likely.
