Lakers Stand Pat as Timberwolves Snag Ayo Dosunmu - and That Miss Could Sting
The NBA trade deadline opened with a bang, and it wasn’t the Lakers making noise - it was the Timberwolves. Minnesota landed Ayo Dosunmu in a deal that sent Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks the other way.
A solid haul for a 26-year-old guard on an expiring contract, sure - but one who checks a lot of boxes for a team trying to win now. And that’s where the Lakers come in - or, more accurately, don’t.
While the Timberwolves got better, the Lakers stood still.
This is a Lakers team with Luka Dončić playing at an MVP level, LeBron James still defying Father Time, and Austin Reaves growing into a legitimate two-way contributor. The window to contend isn’t just open - it’s staring them in the face. But instead of adding a piece to shore up a few glaring holes, Rob Pelinka and the front office chose to preserve cap flexibility for the summer.
That’s a calculated play, but it’s also a risky one.
Because Dosunmu? He’s the kind of player who could’ve helped right now.
He’s averaging 15 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 boards a night while shooting a scorching 51.4% from the field and 45.1% from deep. At 6’4”, he brings versatility on both ends - a guard who can defend multiple positions, knock down open shots, and doesn’t need the ball to be effective.
He’s comfortable coming off the bench or sliding into a starting role. In other words, he’s exactly the type of plug-and-play piece championship teams love to have in their rotation.
And the price? Manageable.
The Lakers reportedly could’ve topped Minnesota’s offer by including a first-round pick. That’s not mortgaging the future - that’s investing in a present that still includes LeBron James and a top-tier Luka Dončić.
Instead, they watched a conference rival - the same Timberwolves team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season - get better. And not just incrementally. Dosunmu fills a real need for Minnesota, giving them another perimeter defender who can knock down shots and take pressure off their stars.
For the Lakers, the needs are clear: they need a better defensive presence on the perimeter and a more reliable rim protector at the five. Dosunmu could’ve helped with the former immediately.
And while he’s on an expiring deal, Minnesota just gave themselves a head start on re-signing him. If the Lakers were eyeing him for the summer, why not bring him in now and let him build chemistry with Luka and Reaves?
This isn’t about panic. It’s about opportunity.
The Lakers are in a rare position - they have a transcendent player in his prime, a Hall-of-Famer still playing at a high level, and a strong supporting cast. Waiting until the offseason to make moves means risking another year of this core without maximizing its potential.
Yes, the front office may have its sights set on a bigger summer swing - maybe even a superstar-level acquisition that would require every bit of draft capital and cap space they can muster. But going star-hunting comes with its own risks. And if that plan doesn’t come together, the Lakers may look back at this deadline and see a missed chance to add depth and versatility without compromising their long-term goals.
Ayo Dosunmu is having the best season of his career. He’s entering his prime, he fits on both ends of the court, and he would’ve made life easier for the Lakers’ stars. Instead, he’s heading to Minnesota, and the Lakers are left hoping their bet on the summer pays off.
For now, Lakers fans are left to watch and wait - and hope that standing pat doesn’t come back to haunt them in a loaded Western Conference.