Trade Talk: Could Ayo Dosunmu Be the Answer to Houston’s Backcourt Depth?
Success in the NBA rarely follows a straight line. Teams evolve, expectations shift, and sometimes the brightest developments come from the most unexpected places. That’s exactly where the Chicago Bulls find themselves right now.
Despite sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference-just outside the playoff picture-the Bulls are seeing real growth from Ayo Dosunmu. The third-year guard has quietly emerged as one of the more intriguing young pieces on the roster, and his breakout campaign is starting to reshape how Chicago might approach the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, out West, the Houston Rockets are winning-but not quite the way many expected. At 27-16, they’re firmly in the mix, holding down the fourth seed in the conference. Still, given the aggressive offseason moves that brought in veterans like Fred VanVleet and Clint Capela, some expected Houston to be closer to the top tier with teams like the Thunder, Nuggets, and even the resurgent Spurs.
That gap between expectation and reality raises a compelling question: could Dosunmu be the piece that helps close it?
The Trade Proposal
To Chicago Bulls:
- Dorian Finney-Smith
- 2028 first-round pick (top-10 protected, via HOU)
To Houston Rockets:
- Ayo Dosunmu
- Jevon Carter
Why the Bulls Would Consider This Deal
First off, let’s be clear: Chicago doesn’t have to move Ayo Dosunmu. He’s not just producing-he’s fitting.
His skill set complements Josh Giddey, and he can share the floor with Coby White without stepping on toes. But the Bulls are overloaded in the backcourt, and at some point, that logjam is going to need sorting out.
Dosunmu is on a team-friendly deal-three years, $21 million, signed last summer using Early Bird rights. That runs through the 2025-26 season, after which he’ll hit unrestricted free agency at age 26. The Bulls can extend him before June 30, but if they don’t, they’ll be faced with a familiar dilemma: pay market value or risk losing a productive player for nothing.
That’s where this trade starts to make sense. In a league where even fringe playoff teams are cautious with first-round picks, getting a lightly protected one for a non-All-Star guard is no small thing. The 2028 pick could become a meaningful asset for a team that’s clearly leaning into a retool around Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and a future lottery pick.
Then there’s Dorian Finney-Smith. He’s struggled since coming back from injury, but his contract is manageable, and his defensive versatility still holds value. If he bounces back next season, Chicago has options-either keep him as a rotation piece or flip him for more assets.
This move wouldn’t be about giving up on Dosunmu-it would be about choosing a direction. And for a franchise that’s been stuck in the middle for too long, that clarity matters.
Why the Rockets Would Pull the Trigger
Houston’s roster is talented, but it’s not without imbalance. The frontcourt is deep-maybe too deep-with Capela, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Şengün all vying for minutes.
The addition of Finney-Smith only added to that logjam. But when VanVleet missed time, the cracks in the backcourt became obvious.
There just wasn’t enough guard depth or on-ball defense to hold up.
That’s where Dosunmu fits like a glove.
He’s not just filling a need-he’s checking multiple boxes. He can defend at the point of attack, handle the ball in secondary actions, and space the floor.
His numbers this season speak for themselves: 14.4 points, 3.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds per game, and a scorching 45.9% from three. And he’s doing it efficiently, in a defined role, on a cost-controlled deal.
That kind of production doesn’t come cheap, but it’s affordable in the context of a team trying to transition from regular-season success to postseason legitimacy. Giving up a protected first-round pick is a price worth paying if it means stabilizing the backcourt and adding a player who can contribute right away.
And don’t overlook Jevon Carter in this deal. He’s not a star, but he brings toughness, shooting, and veteran savvy-exactly the kind of player who can help in a playoff series.
The Bigger Picture
Both the Bulls and Rockets are at critical junctures, but they’re heading in different directions.
Chicago is still trying to build a sustainable core. Outside of a few young pieces, the long-term picture is murky. Adding draft capital and clearing up positional overlap aligns with where they are-not where they hoped to be.
Houston, on the other hand, is already in the thick of the Western Conference race. With Kevin Durant now in the fold and a deep roster of young talent, the Rockets are shifting into win-now mode. At this stage, it’s less about collecting picks and more about maximizing fit.
This deal reflects that divergence. The Bulls get flexibility and future value. The Rockets get a player who can help immediately, both on the court and in the locker room.
It’s not a guaranteed win for either side. But in a season where expectations and reality have taken different paths, sometimes the smartest move is simply choosing a path forward.