The Minnesota Timberwolves' recent acquisition of Ayo Dosunmu had fans buzzing with excitement at the trade deadline. Yet, six games into his tenure, some supporters are feeling a bit underwhelmed by his contributions. Let's dive into why patience might be the key here.
Dosunmu's stats-11.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 48.2/34.8/85.7 shooting splits-might not leap off the page. After a standout 21-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks, his average dipped to 9 points with a 25 percent success rate from beyond the arc. However, it's crucial to remember that adjusting to a new team takes time, even for adaptable players like Ayo.
Expecting him to replicate his Chicago Bulls numbers immediately was a stretch. Minnesota's competitive edge means Dosunmu wasn't going to seamlessly average 15 points per game right away.
His on/off numbers might look rough, but it's just six games in. There's no need to hit the panic button.
Despite the initial struggles, Dosunmu remains an ideal fit for the Timberwolves. The most glaring concern has been his 3-point shooting.
In Chicago, he knocked down 45.1 percent of his threes, but in Minnesota, that number has dipped to 34.8 percent. It's worth noting that this is a small sample size, and expecting him to maintain such a high percentage was always ambitious.
With Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle drawing defensive attention, Ayo is bound to find more open looks and should inch back towards the 40 percent mark. His ability to drive downhill has also added a new dimension to the Wolves' offense, ranking fourth on the team with 5.4 drives per game in the last six contests. This has injected energy into both their halfcourt and transition play.
Furthermore, Dosunmu's playmaking has brought stability to the Wolves' backcourt, boasting an impressive 5.67 assist-to-turnover ratio. There's potential for him to be utilized more on the ball, especially since 41.6 percent of his possessions have been shared with Bones Hyland, which doesn't fully leverage his abilities.
Defensively, Ayo has been a standout, providing a physical presence at the point of attack. While the Wolves' defense has been inconsistent, Dosunmu's contributions have been a bright spot. Moving forward, he could take over point of attack duties from Jaden McDaniels, allowing the latter to focus on being a disruptive defensive force.
Ayo's skill set aligns perfectly with what the Wolves need. While he continues to adjust to his new surroundings and Coach Chris Finch figures out the best way to utilize him, fans should remain optimistic. As he settles in, his impact is likely to grow.
For those worried about Ayo's early performances, it's worth taking a step back and allowing him the time to find his groove.