When the Timberwolves traded for Ayo Dosunmu, his upcoming free agency was a lingering question, given how expensive Minnesota’s roster already is. Dosunmu’s playoff performance so far, highlighted by his 43-point outing in the team’s Game 4 victory on Saturday, is only making that conversation more interesting, Joe Cowley writes for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Dosunmu said he recently spoke with recently dismissed Bulls executive Arturas Karnisovas and gained closure regarding the trade that sent him to Minnesota. With the Wolves facing a cap crunch, Cowley wonders whether Dosunmu might be interested in a reunion with Chicago. While the guard didn’t close the door on that possibility, he indicated that he’s appreciating the opportunity to compete in the playoffs with his new team and will prioritize Minnesota in free agency.
“Everything is on the table when you’re a free agent,” Dosunmu said. “That’s the main thing about being a free agent — you listen. You have conversations with whoever is interested. I’ll sit down with my family, and you have those conversations about where the next duration of my career will be, but Minnesota has shown me love here. I love the love I’ve been getting from the coaching staff, the fans, the players. So of course Minnesota will have the first dibs to do right and make me feel at home where I won’t even have to go out and entertain (other offers).”
While Saturday’s victory was marred by the emotions of the Wolves losing both Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles tear) and Anthony Edwards (knee hyperextension), Dosunmu’s heroics gave the team the lift it needed to take a commanding series lead, Marcus Thompson II writes for The Athletic.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- The Nuggets know they’ve dug themselves into a hole by going down 3-1 to Minnesota, but star Nikola Jokic is counting on the team’s extensive playoff experience to help them right the ship, Vinny Benedetto writes for the Denver Gazette. “We’ve been in this situation before. The most important one is the next one,” Jokic said. “We’re going to go home and (then) try to get the series back here.” The Nuggets have come back from a 3-1 deficit multiple times during Jokic’s time with the franchise, the first being against Rudy Gobert‘s Jazz back in the bubble in 2020.
- The Trail Blazers have worked hard to return to playoff relevance, and injured star Damian Lillard says the team is closer to taking the next step than people may think, Bill Oram writes for Oregon Live. “It’s all there,” Lillard said. “From the talent to the depth, to having it on both sides of the ball. It’s all there.” While speculation abounds as to whether the three-point champion could return during this postseason run, the front office is also reportedly setting its sights high this offseason, as it is prepared to put a compelling trade offer together for Giannis Antetokounmpo if the two-time MVP indicates he’d be willing to sign an extension in Portland, Oram reports. That is a large “if,” though, Kurt Helin of NBC Sports says, calling the idea of Antetokounmpo making such a promise highly unlikely, if only for the gauntlet he would have to face in the Western Conference playoffs for years to come.
- While the 2026 playoffs rage on, the Jazz are more focused on the draft lottery coming up on May 10. However, there are still reasons for them to pay attention to the postseason, one of which is the draft compensation the Cavaliers still owe them due to the Donovan Mitchell trade, The Deseret News’ Sarah Todd writes. The Cavs are currently tied 2-2 with the Raptors in the first round, with Mitchell eligible for an extension this offseason. While the star guard recently reiterated his desire to stay in Cleveland, a disappointing playoff exit could have ripple effects that impact the Jazz’s future draft assets.
I would think with Donte out. Minny has to sign Ayo.
Always thought of him as a PG first. Solid 2way talent.
Bulls got a decent return on him. Miller looks like a rotation piece. Dillingham you just have to be patient with. They gave away Coby though.
Tough when you have major injuries in playoffs. Throws next yr into a spin. I would think Ayo has found a home.
You would think, but we know Minny’s ownership is likely not willing to go too far into the second tax to keep him.
He stays only if they make cost cutting moves elsewhere. If not, there will be some interesting options for him.
How much could he get in FA. That will be the thing. I would think 15-20 mill. Minny will also have an injury exception for Donte.
The Bulls have the money to bring back Ayo easily and should do it. A huge factor that nobody is talking about is if Lloyd gets the job there is some familiarity there. Ayo showed what he can be on defense if you put a rim protector behind him like Gobert. Ayo had to play off his man with the Bulls because he knew that if he got beat there was dunk behind him so he couldn’t gamble as much. In front of Gobert just turn the man loose and he’s a steal machine. Donovan had no idea what he had or what he was doing. Rim protector first, Real NBA Coach next, Get on your hands and knees and beg him to come back. I’d put the odds at 50/50. It might take a bit more than 20 million though. But it’s worth it. Now that you see what a weapon he can be in the Playoffs. Much like Caruso was.
No team is willing to go deep into the second apron and for good reason. Wolves can offer him 19 a year and stay out of the second apron. I think he’d prefer to keep playing winning ball and likely have a starting spot than go back to the mess in Chicago. 50/50 is kind of crazy. I dare to say 90% chance he stays in Minnesota. They didn’t trade all that, then see his potential, to let him walk.
It’s obvious that Ayo should stay with the t wolves. The point is, they will need to pay him. He’s worth 18 to 20 mil imo. Very solid combo guard that score and defend very well. Honestly, that’s well deserved money compared to other players in the nba who are overpaid in regards to their production.
@ Greg- Minny had the 6th highest payroll this year. Another mere 1.2 mill would have put them 4th highest
They had the 2nd highest payroll the year before in the entire NBA
Crying poor is incorrect here
**They have zero outside moves needed to retain Ayo, they have ~26 mill after the 21th pick factored in to spend before Apron 2
There should be zero obstacles retaining AYo and Minny’s FO should be lauded for their spending’s not questioned the last couple years
Ayo will be a Wolve next year
@ KnickAl:
Minnesota losing Ayo would be extremely stupid after how he’s played vs Denver. They would have lost without his MJ-like game with Ant and Donte out, and he had 25 pts 3 reb and 9 ast in the previous win.
Signing him should be their #1 priority.
Yes you would think so. But what if he is offered big money in FA. Plus they have cap issues. Like another poster said. They would have to redo their cap situation. Move around some contracts.
They can do it Al. All it takes is for them to move off of guys that don’t deserve a paycheck and a roster spot. It’s up to management to not f that up for next season. Ant man will need Ayo for sure next season
Lillard isn’t coming back this year, and Portland is not anything close to a serious championship contender. it would be hilarious if they traded for Giannis this offseason. We all saw how well the Lillard/Giannis combo worked in MLW. I am sure things will be different in PTL
Gutting the roster for Giannis is a bad move for most teams (only because of age/injury history). Especially when they’ve seen the combo doesn’t work particularly well.
With Dame back next yr. And Scoot, Deni starting backcourt. They can move Jrue for value, get younger.
And don’t have to give up money in a trade. Blazers don’t have picks next yr.
Rockets should have traded for Jrue at TD. Big mistake. They should do it now. JVV has an expiring contract. Two 2nd rd picks and future #1.
This is a deep draft. So you can find 4s n shooters in 2nd rd. Rockets had Jrue this yr. They would be in West Finals. Heat can also use Jrue.
The Blazers don’t have a pick this year. That finally conveyed to the Bulls. They have picks next year, and future years. They have pick swaps with the Bucks and an Orlando pick.
Yeahh I agree that it didn’t work out in Milwaukee either, but Portland does a have a brighter future instead of the bucks. I agree that they are not championship contenders..yet, but if management can continue to build correctly around Deni, then I don’t see why they can’t compete for the 8th seed again next year. They don’t need Giannis, he’s not worth their time. They need another young star, like doncic, Cade from Detroit or someone who compliment Deni’s game. Lastly, if they can add some help to their bench, then they should be able to hold their own against teams like the Spurs or lesser teams like the Mavs or Pels. It sucks that they are stuck with Grant. I know he’s coming off a recent injury but he’s been mid for a while imo. They need someone consistently better to pair alongside with Deni.
Blazers aren’t ready for Giannis. They should just keep building. They are on right path.
Spurs and Thunder have best offers for a Giannis trade.
Giannis and Deni cannot co-exist on the same roster, for a number of reasons.
Ayo!
Truly shocking and inexcusable the way Arturas was unable to get fair value on…well anybody really. Tearing it down is supposed to be much easier than building it back up and Arturas couldn’t even do the tear down right. The new Bulls front office has two 1sts and cap space but there’s almost no talent left on the roster to work with. It’s going to take years to dig out of the hole Arturas dug.