Ayo Dosunmu Reportedly Traded to T-Wolves from Bulls amid Giannis NBA Deadline Rumors

The Chicago Bulls' fire sale continued Thursday with ESPN's Shams Charania reporting they're trading guard Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Charania reported Minnesota is sending guard Rob Dillingham, forward Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to Chicago. The Wolves will also receive forward Julian Phillips.

The Timberwolves made a big bet on Dillingham when they gave up a 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap in order to move up and get him in the 2024 NBA draft.

The 21-year-old was unable to assert himself as a successor to Mike Conley Jr., and that created a sizable void in the backcourt. Minnesota also just traded Conley to Chicago as part of a three-team deal.

Dosunmu isn't necessarily the natural playmaker the Wolves have lacked all year, but he has averaged 4.3 assists per 36 minutes across his career, per Basketball Reference. He's also shooting 45.1 percent from beyond the arc, which is an upgrade over Dillingham (36.4 percent).

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Minnesota is taking itself out of the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes for now, so improving around the margins makes sense for a franchise that didn't have a lot of trade assets.

On the other side of the deal, this may not be a popular move among fans given Dosunmu's deep ties to Chicago. Some may have seen Coby White's exit as solidifying the Windy City native's spot in the roster long term as well.

But the Bulls are clearly embracing a rebuild after years of half-measures and ill-fated decisions in the pursuit of contention.

Not only is Dosunmu a free agent in the summer, but he'll also turn 27 midway through the 2026-27 season. He wasn't a great fit for Chicago's new timeline as it orients the roster around Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.

The Bulls are also taking a flier on Dillingham, whose development might benefit from the fact he's no longer on a team with championship aspirations.