Ayo Dosunmu, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, is currently playing in the playoffs with the Timberwolves.
Dosunmu had a personal mantra to make the playoffs, writing it in his journal every day since Bulls training camp last September. He is now experiencing that dream with a new team.
Dosunmu’s Trade to Minnesota
Dosunmu and forward Julian Phillips were traded to Minnesota on Feb. 4, one day before the deadline. The Bulls received guard Rob Dillingham, forward Leonard Miller and four second-round draft picks in return.
The Bulls made seven deals leading up to the deadline. These deals saw Arturas Karnisovas, then the executive vice president of basketball operations, and then-general manager Marc Eversley purge the roster of Dosunmu, Phillips, center Nikola Vucevic, guards Coby White and Jevon Carter and guard/forwards Kevin Huerter and Dalen Terry.
Dosunmu stated he wasn’t surprised by the trade, understanding his contract situation and the number of expiring contracts on the team. He said he didn’t want it to affect his play and tried not to think about it.
However, as the trade deadline neared, the possibility of a trade became more apparent.
The fallout from these trades contributed to the dismissals of Karnisovas and Eversley before the end of the regular season.
Playoff Opportunity
Dosunmu is embracing the opportunity to play meaningful basketball in the playoffs. He sees it as a blessing to be a monumental piece in helping the team win.
“The more and more I’m here, the more opportunity for spotlight games, the first [playoffs] since my rookie year and being a monumental piece to help the team win — you can’t ask for anything better than that,” Dosunmu said.
He is preparing for Game 3 of their best-of-seven first-round playoff series.
Closure with Karnisovas
Dosunmu said he recently spoke with Karnisovas, who drafted him in 2021. He expressed thankfulness for being drafted and helped to develop.
Dosunmu felt a chip on his shoulder after being traded, as Chicago was his home where he improved each year after being a second-round pick.
Dosunmu was looking to serve notice of what he could do on a big stage and in this first round of the playoffs he’s doing just that.