When the Minnesota Timberwolves gathered for their usual huddle after Wednesday’s shootaround in Toronto, Mike Conley’s familiar presence was notably absent. The veteran guard, who traditionally leads the team send-off, had already been traded to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. This departure left a leadership void the Wolves urgently needed to address.
Bones Hyland, one of the team’s energetic bench players, acknowledged the gap left by Conley and took it upon himself to rise to the occasion.
“But I feel like I had to take on that role for sure,”
Hyland said after Minnesota’s narrow 128-126 victory over the Raptors. Despite his effort, the team’s bench scoring — ranked 23rd in the league — had been inconsistent all season.
Acquiring Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips to Strengthen the Roster
On Thursday morning, Minnesota made a decisive move by trading for 6’4” guard Ayo Dosunmu and 6’6” forward Julian Phillips from the Chicago Bulls. As first reported by The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, the deal sent Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round draft picks to Chicago in exchange.
This trade followed the Wolves sending Conley’s $9.9 million contract to the Bulls for cash considerations, dropping Minnesota’s payroll under the NBA’s first apron and improving their cap flexibility. Speculation swirled that this maneuver was designed to facilitate a blockbuster trade, possibly for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Minnesota ultimately retained its core players with Dosunmu and Phillips as their sole additions at the deadline.
Who Is Ayo Dosunmu? A Reliable, Energetic Scorer
Twenty-six-year-old Ayo Dosunmu isn’t the flashy All-Star many expected the Timberwolves to pursue. However, Minnesota needed a consistently efficient scorer who could bring relentless energy night after night, similar to what Nikciel Alexander-Walker provided before his departure.
Dosunmu has demonstrated this during his time with Chicago, highlighted by an electrifying performance against the Miami Heat where he posted 29 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and five three-pointers. This rare feat made him the first Bulls player this season to hit at least 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five triples in a single game.
Ayo Dosunmu and the Bulls win a THRILLER in Miami!
🔴 29 PTS (season-high)🔴 8 REB🔴 9 AST🔴 5 3PM
He’s the first @chicagobulls player to record 25+ PTS, 5+ REB, 5+ AST, and 5+ 3PM this season! pic.twitter.com/RfjWGPSGYX
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2026
Efficiency Makes Dosunmu a Perfect Fit off the Bench
This season, Dosunmu is averaging a career-high 15 points per game in just 26.4 minutes, a remarkable scoring rate given his second-lowest playing time to date. His shooting efficiency stands out: 51.4% overall, 55.6% on two-pointers, and 45.1% from beyond the arc, with an average of 4.3 three-point attempts per game.
Out of 45 games played, Dosunmu has come off the bench in 35, posting an average of 14.5 points in those appearances. This ranks third among NBA players with at least 30 bench games, trailing only Jamie Jaquez (15.6) and Naz Reid (14.8). His ability to maximize limited minutes makes him an ideal sparkplug for any team’s second unit.
Among players who average at least 14 points per game and hit 45% or better from three-point range while playing fewer than 27 minutes, Dosunmu is unique in combining shooting efficiency with scoring volume. His aggressive and polished offensive approach complements his high energy and hustle.
Ayo Dosunmu speeds down the floor and converts a tough layup to cap a 17-4 Bulls run!
Hawks-Bulls | Live on the NBA App📲 https://t.co/5m0O9WIrWg pic.twitter.com/ZouwRC0z8g
— NBA (@NBA) February 13, 2024
Role Expectations and Team Chemistry in Minnesota
Despite the productivity Dosunmu has displayed, the Timberwolves plan to use him primarily as a bench player. Head coach Chris Finch prefers keeping the established starting lineup intact, which includes Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert. That quintet maintains a strong +9.2 net rating together, reflecting growing chemistry the coaching staff is unwilling to disrupt.
Dosunmu’s style as a combo guard who thrives with the ball in his hands fits naturally into the second unit, complementing other scorers and playmakers. He excels at attacking downhill aggressively, breaking through defenders around the rim, and executing pick-and-roll plays while capitalizing on his quickness and shooting range. Of his 193 three-point attempts this season, 167 were catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he boasts an impressive 42.5% conversion rate.
Defensive Contributions and Energetic Presence
While Dosunmu’s defense is still evolving, his 6-foot-4 frame and 6-foot-10 wingspan make him a versatile, switchable defender. Compared to former Wolves like Alexander-Walker and Jaylen Clark, Dosunmu may represent a slight downgrade defensively, but he ranks above Bones Hyland in effort and consistency on this end. His relentless defensive energy adds an intangible spark that Minnesota has sorely missed since losing Alexander-Walker.
Ultimately, Dosunmu’s game revolves around consistently high energy on both offense and defense. His combination of effort and emerging skill makes him a valuable asset to the Wolves’ rotation and the exact type of player the team has needed all season to fill the gap left by veterans and departed players.
Most nights, the Timberwolves will look to Dosunmu to replicate the dependable performance Hyland displayed recently in Toronto — a player who consistently fills up the stat sheet, makes impactful plays, and energizes the team the moment he steps on the court. With his arrival, Minnesota aims to close the chapter on a season-long search for a missing piece and build stronger momentum heading into the final stretch.
So here’s the final deal, per sources:
Wolves get Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips.Bulls get: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, four seconds
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 5, 2026
Ayo Dosunmu and the Bulls win a THRILLER in Miami!
🔴 29 PTS (season-high)
🔴 8 REB
🔴 9 AST
🔴 5 3PMHe’s the first @chicagobulls player to record 25+ PTS, 5+ REB, 5+ AST, and 5+ 3PM this season! pic.twitter.com/RfjWGPSGYX
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2026
Ayo Dosunmu speeds down the floor and converts a tough layup to cap a 17-4 Bulls run!
Hawks-Bulls | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/5m0O9WIrWg pic.twitter.com/ZouwRC0z8g— NBA (@NBA) February 13, 2024
