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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:12 pm
by Monster
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 7:58 pm
kekgeek wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 5:13 pm
NO such thing as a perfect defensive stat. This one certainly has flaws
But opponents are shooting 41.4% when guarded by Ayo Dosunmu this season
That’s better than any number posted by a Wolves player this season
-Jace Fredrick
Well, that's encouraging.
I'm just struggling with the notion that we got a $7.5M player that is apparently an elite shooter, good passer, secure ball handler, finishes better than DDV, and is an elite defender entering his prime?? Why on God's green earth would any franchise looking to improve ever want to trade him for unproven and speculative prospects plus a bunch of second round picks? How the hell did Tim Connnelly get away with this heist???
I'm all for fleecing one of the many mediocre franchises in the Eastern Conference, but it almost seems too good to be true!
Well we have to see how it goes but there is a possibility that Dillingham did still have some actual value in this deal. If I was a team that was trying to rebuild I'd be interested. Meanwhile the 2nds the Wolves have available to trade...there are a lot of them that are projected to be bad ones. I think the best one they have might be the most favorable of GS and Houston in 2032. Again getting a player even around the same level of player as Donte for stuff/players you weren't gonna use this year seems like a pretty good move. In addition some teams are gonna have so many 2nd rounders...if you really want a player late in the 2nd you can probably get a pick with some cash. On the other hand why not just sign some guy if you have a roster spot open like Bones or Garza or Minott...
Edit: The Russell deal was a heck of a deal. Any of the 3 sets of assets ended up having more value than Russell. It's not hard to think Connelly made a good move with the Ayo Phillips deal and that's even recognizing that Connelly hasn't hit on all his decisions especially in the draft.
Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:13 pm
by 60WinTim
Monster wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:00 pm
I watched a few minutes of highlights and did a little research on Ayo and Phillips. Here are a few takeaways.
I don't think I learned a whole lot about Ayo that I didn't know before although I haven't seen him play much at all. He seems like a guy that isn't about flash but just playing basketball.
The first thing I thought when I was watching Phillips was whoa he looks taller than expected. He is listed at 6'6" but he was taller than that at the combine. He has a near 6'11" wingspan. He has played literally 10x more NBA minutes than Leonard miller and actually has played some rotation minutes at times. He is a 3 and D guy (3 point shot isn't exactly there but he can hit one) that plays sort of like a bigger forward out on the wing. He is basically the same age as Miller but actually has done something which of course probably is some about getting an opportunity. The Wolves have packed a big SF type other than McDaniels and so adding Phillips is something I like. I'm not saying he is awesome but I think he might be a guy you could throw out there in a game right now and he could do some good things and maybe not hurt you. He showed up a couple times when I was watching Ayo highlights.
I think it's worth noting these guys have played for Billy Donovan who I think is a good coach. It will be interesting to see how that roster ends up shaking out.
Phillips played just one year of college ball, and was pretty unimpressive stat-wise. He supposed to be an athletic freak, which is why I assume he came out early. It's not farfetched to think if he can defend, he might just push Clark for minutes... (although, Clark's minutes might be on the way out already!)
Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:18 pm
by Q-is-here
60WinTim wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:10 pm
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 7:58 pm
kekgeek wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 5:13 pm
NO such thing as a perfect defensive stat. This one certainly has flaws
But opponents are shooting 41.4% when guarded by Ayo Dosunmu this season
That’s better than any number posted by a Wolves player this season
-Jace Fredrick
Well, that's encouraging.
I'm just struggling with the notion that we got a $7.5M player that is apparently an elite shooter, good passer, secure ball handler, finishes better than DDV, and is an elite defender entering his prime?? Why on God's green earth would any franchise looking to improve ever want to trade him for unproven and speculative prospects plus a bunch of second round picks? How the hell did Tim Connnelly get away with this heist???
I'm all for fleecing one of the many mediocre franchises in the Eastern Conference, but it almost seems too good to be true!
I believe Connelly's brother works in the Bull front office...
Seriously?? So this is like Nico Harrison doing business with his Laker buddy Rob Pelinka, giving him a sweetheart deal on Luka Doncic!
Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:26 pm
by 60WinTim
Timberwolves have posted the press release for Ayo and Julian, which means the trade is official. All players have passed their physicals.
Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:53 pm
by Monster
60WinTim wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:26 pm
Timberwolves have posted the press release for Ayo and Julian, which means the trade is official. All players have passed their physicals.
I have also passed my physical. When can I sign?
Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 11:00 pm
by Coolbreeze44
Monster wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:53 pm
60WinTim wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:26 pm
Timberwolves have posted the press release for Ayo and Julian, which means the trade is official. All players have passed their physicals.
I have also passed my physical. When can I sign?
I heard your results are under investigation due to the presence of cat urine in your sample.
Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 12:48 am
by Lipoli390
Here’s what Google AI provided when I asked about Ayo’s defense:
Ayo Dosunmu is considered a good, versatile perimeter defender in the NBA, valued for his ability to guard multiple positions, navigate screens, and act as a pesky point-of-attack defender. Standing at 6'4" with a 6'8" to 6'10" wingspan, he often disrupts opponents, reducing their shooting efficiency and rarely making mistakes on switches.
Here are the key aspects of Ayo Dosunmu's defense:
* Physicality & Wingspan: He utilizes a 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10 wingspan to bother opposing guards and wings.
* Impact Metrics: He has consistently been a solid perimeter defender for the Bulls, often limiting opponents to a lower shooting percentage when he is the primary defender (e.g., holding them to a 4.8 percentage point decrease in one report).
* Versatility: He is agile enough to guard point guards but strong enough to switch onto wings.
* Point-of-Attack: He is described as a "menace" in transition and a reliable defender against pick-and-rolls.
While not an elite All-Defensive team-level player, Dosunmu is regarded as a dependable, high-effort defender and a "two-way guard".
Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 6:44 am
by Monster
In case anyone was wondering about the 2nds we gave up this is what Jon K reported in his article about the aftermath of the trade deadline for the Wolves. So they gave up a couple low end 2nds and a couple that were likely more appealing but quite a ways out. They still have a bad 2nd left for this year but some future years they currently don't have a 2nd. Connelly has a pretty good track record of being able to add 2nds and adding players to the back end of the roster so as much as I like even 2nds I'm also kinda like...eh.
"The four second-round picks heading to Chicago are as follows:
2026: least favorable between Denver and Golden State
2027: via Cleveland
2031: most favorable of Minnesota or Golden State
2032: most favorable of Phoenix or Houston"
Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2026 8:58 am
by Phenom
Monster wrote: ↑Fri Feb 06, 2026 6:44 am
In case anyone was wondering about the 2nds we gave up this is what Jon K reported in his article about the aftermath of the trade deadline for the Wolves. So they gave up a couple low end 2nds and a couple that were likely more appealing but quite a ways out. They still have a bad 2nd left for this year but some future years they currently don't have a 2nd. Connelly has a pretty good track record of being able to add 2nds and adding players to the back end of the roster so as much as I like even 2nds I'm also kinda like...eh.
"The four second-round picks heading to Chicago are as follows:
2026: least favorable between Denver and Golden State
2027: via Cleveland
2031: most favorable of Minnesota or Golden State
2032: most favorable of Phoenix or Houston"
I was looking at the seconds we had a week or so ago and wasn't amazed by what they had. The Golden State one could be interesting but 2031 and 32 are so far away you never know.