Ayo Dosunmu played just 24 regular season games for the Minnesota Timberwolves after being acquired by team in a trade with the Chicago Bulls prior to the deadline.
But, hat’s all the Wolves needed to see to reward Dosunmu with an enormous five-year, $112 million deal in free agency.
Timberwolves’ Signing of Ayo Dosunmu Labeled One of Offseason’s Worst Overpays
GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 12: Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up court against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
While Dosunmu is a solid player, that deal has the potential to age poorly. It was named one of the worst overpays of the offseason by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report.
“Dosunmu’s skill tree branches a bunch of different directions, but none of his individual skills are special. He is a fine secondary playmaker, but he can’t pilot an offense on his own. He sometimes posts strong three-point percentages, but he doesn’t launch a lot of them. He rarely looks exposed in defensive assignments, but he isn’t a playmaker on that end (1.2 career stocks per game),” Buckley wrote.
“Minnesota might have felt backed into a corner by Donte DiVincenzo’s torn Achilles and an overall dearth of perimeter depth, but understanding why a deal wound up richer than it should have doesn’t change its nature. The Wolves better hope those playoff flashes—against a bad Denver defense and on outlier shooting (68 points on 23-of-32)—were for real, because that’s the only time Dosunmu looked worthy of a contract this rich.”
Dosunmu averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game for Minnesota last season. He will likely have an expanded role for the Wolves next season given the major investment that the franchise made in him.
Ayo Dosunmu Eager to Team Up With LaMelo Ball on Timberwolves
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 12: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)
Dosunmu’s signing has been overshadowed by Minnesota’s blockbuster acquisition of LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets, but Dosunmu is excited to play alongside Ball on a Western Conference contender.
“How do I feel about the Lamelo trade? I’m excited. That’s my boy,” Dosunmu said in a live stream.
The Timberwolves have been busy, but they might not be one making moves just yet. Minnesota has been mentioned as a potential landing spot for superstar forward LeBron James in free agency.
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