After clearing up significant cap space by trading Julius Randle, the Minnesota Timberwolves didn't waste much time, as they inked a five-year, $112 million new contract with Ayo Dosunmu. Part of the logic of the Randle deal was to create flexibility for a bigger deal and part of it was to comfortably afford a new deal for Ayo.
Regardless, both in terms of annual value and contract length, this was a massive commitment for the Wolves. As such, this sends a clear message that Ayo is a key part of their core around Anthony Edwards. By my count, this core consists of Edwards, Dosunmu, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Joan Beringer.
Dosunmu's contract cements his status as a part of the Wolves' core
We will have to see what Rudy Gobert's future holds. It wouldn't be surprising if they trade him for another guard, as extra ball-handling and creation remain pressing needs for Minnesota.
Still, it's not out of the realm of possibilities that the Wolves don't land a true second option in a trade for Rudy, or they keep Gobert. In this case, Ayo would be counted on for the team to make up for their lack of a second option in the aggregate. That might sound extreme, but I'm just going over possibilities.
Whatever way you slice it, Dosunmu's new deal confirms that he's an essential part of the Wolves' future.
Even as a massive advocate of Ayo, I was a bit surprised by this contract, from both a length and annual value standpoint.
It's still worth it, though, if you ask me -- Dosunmu is an ideal fit alongside Anthony Edwards and his versatile skill set makes him a coveted archetype. At 26, Dosunmu is a clear long-term fit alongside Edwards.
Dosunmu can provide a wide variety of skills, including finishing, spot-up shooting, connective playmaking and defense. This makes him an ideal complementary guard and when you look at how similar players to him, such as Jalen Suggs and Derrick White, are paid, his deal doesn't look too bad at all.
Without a doubt, connective players like Ayo are regularly on championship teams.
All in all, it's wise for the Timberwolves to lock up a key part of their future with this deal and it signals an unwavering level of commitment to Dosunmu. From this point forward, it's clear that Ayo is a major part of the core around Edwards and given that he proved to be a seamless fit since being traded to Minnesota, this should be seen as a good thing.
