Why Ayo Dosunmu Makes Perfect Sense for the Raptors - If They Can Pull It Off
We’re deep into NBA trade season, and the action is heating up. One major domino has already fallen with Trae Young heading to Washington in a blockbuster move. But the rumor mill isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and a number of teams are still trying to figure out whether they’re buyers, sellers, or something in between.
For the Toronto Raptors, the direction seems clear - this is a young team on the rise, playing some of its most encouraging basketball in years. They’ve got momentum, they’ve got talent, and most importantly, they’ve got options.
But being a buyer at the deadline doesn’t mean you go all-in for a fading star. There’s a smarter path - one that adds real value without mortgaging the future.
Enter Ayo Dosunmu.
The Fit: Why Dosunmu Checks All the Boxes
If you haven’t been paying close attention to the Bulls this season, you might be sleeping on Dosunmu. He’s a versatile combo guard who brings three things every playoff-caliber team needs: shooting, defense, and secondary playmaking.
Dosunmu’s numbers this season jump off the page. He’s averaging 14.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 rebounds while shooting a scorching 51.5% from the field, 45.0% from deep, and 86.7% from the line.
That’s not just efficient - that’s elite for a rotational guard. And he’s doing it while taking on tough defensive matchups and playing within the flow of the offense.
At 26, Dosunmu is hitting his prime. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, but he’s more than capable of creating when called upon. In short: he’s the kind of player who makes good teams better - especially in the postseason, when depth and versatility matter most.
Why He Might Be Available
So why would Chicago even consider moving him?
It comes down to contract dynamics. Dosunmu is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
If the Bulls aren’t confident they can re-sign him - or if they’re not willing to meet his market value - they risk losing him for nothing. That’s the kind of situation that forces a front office to make tough calls.
Adding another wrinkle to the equation: Coby White. The Bulls have to navigate his contract situation too, and many around the league view White as the more foundational piece. If Chicago is forced to choose between the two, Dosunmu becomes the odd man out - and a prime trade candidate ahead of the deadline.
That opens a door for Toronto.
The Risk - and the Reward - for the Raptors
No trade is without risk, and this one is no exception. Dosunmu could walk in free agency, turning a mid-season boost into a short-term rental. Depending on the deal, it could cost the Raptors a couple of rotation wings and some draft capital - a price that isn’t insignificant.
But here’s the thing: Dosunmu is exactly the type of player Toronto should be targeting right now.
He fits the timeline. He complements the existing core.
He adds shooting, defense, and ball-handling - three areas the Raptors have been looking to shore up. And he elevates a second unit that, when healthy, could be one of the best in the East.
Picture a bench group featuring Jamal Shead, Dosunmu, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. That’s not just solid - that’s playoff-ready. And with Dosunmu in the fold, Toronto would have the flexibility to play Shead and Immanuel Quickley together more often - a backcourt pairing that has quietly become one of the team’s most effective combinations.
A Smart Swing
This isn’t about chasing headlines or making a splash. It’s about making a smart, calculated move that strengthens the roster without compromising the long-term vision. Dosunmu gives the Raptors a two-way guard who can help now and potentially grow with the team down the line.
If the price is right - and if Toronto can get ahead of the market - this could be one of those under-the-radar moves that pays big dividends come April and beyond.
The Raptors don’t need to go all-in. But they do need to keep building. And Ayo Dosunmu might just be the next piece that helps them take another step forward.