Ayo Dosunmu Delivers a Statement Game as Bulls Face Trade Deadline Crossroads
The Bulls may have dropped a tight one to the Miami Heat, 116-113, but if there’s one thing Thursday night made clear, it’s this: Ayo Dosunmu isn’t going down without a fight. While trade rumors swirl and roster questions linger, the 6’4” Chicago native put together a performance that reminded the front office-and fans-why he might be one of the most valuable pieces in the building.
Dosunmu came off the bench and immediately injected life into a Bulls squad that needed a spark. He poured in 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, knocked down all six of his free throws, and added seven rebounds and five assists in just 31 minutes. It was the kind of all-around effort that doesn’t just show up in the box score-it shows up in momentum swings, hustle plays, and the kind of energy that teammates feed off of.
And it couldn’t have come at a more critical time.
With Josh Giddey and Tre Jones sidelined, Chicago leaned on Dosunmu to handle more on-ball responsibilities, and he delivered. Yes, he committed four turnovers, but that comes with the territory when you’re asked to do a bit of everything. What stood out was his poise, his pace, and his willingness to take on whatever role the team needed in the moment.
This isn’t a one-off, either. Dosunmu is quietly putting together the best season of his career.
He’s averaging 14.6 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in just 26 minutes per game, while shooting over 51% from the field and north of 44% from deep. That’s elite efficiency for a guard who often flies under the radar outside of Chicago.
And here’s the thing: he’s not asking for the spotlight. According to reports, Dosunmu is fully bought into his role and has built a strong relationship with the coaching staff.
He’s not trying to be the star-he’s trying to be the glue. The kind of player every playoff-caliber team needs.
A two-way wing who can guard multiple positions, knock down open shots, and bring relentless effort every night.
The Bulls have some big decisions looming. With Dosunmu, Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Kevin Huerter all on expiring deals, the front office is at a familiar fork in the road.
Do they commit to a core and build around it, or hit reset and start stockpiling assets again? That’s the million-dollar question-and it’s not rhetorical.
In Dosunmu’s case, it might literally be a multi-million-dollar decision.
He’s due for a raise this summer, and he’s earned it. With a career-high 0.7 VORP and strong advanced metrics like win shares per 48 minutes, Dosunmu is proving he’s more than just a feel-good hometown story-he’s a legitimate building block.
He wants to stay. That much is clear.
But if the Bulls don’t lock him in long-term, they risk losing a player who’s shown he can be a key contributor on both ends of the floor. And if they’re not ready to commit, then they’ll have to explore trade options before the deadline.
It’s a tough call, but Thursday night made one thing easier to see: Ayo Dosunmu is doing everything in his power to make that decision harder. He’s not just playing for a contract-he’s playing for his city. And right now, he’s making a pretty compelling case to stick around.