Former Illini Ayo Dosunmu traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves

The NBA is a business. Former Illini basketball star Ayo Dosunmu was drafted 38th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. Dosunmu spent four and a half total seasons with the Bulls and progressively improved each and every season. In fact, he is shooting a career high 45.1% from the 3-point line and averaging a career high 15.0 points per game. However, Dosunmu is in the final year of a 3 year, 21 million dollar contract, making him a very attractive trade piece.

The Chicago Bulls finally let Ayo Dosunmu lose before the NBA trade deadline by shipping him off to Minnesota in a deal involving Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and multiple second-round picks.

NBA NEWS: Former Illini Ayo Dosunmu has been TRADED to the Minnesota Timberwolves.. which means Dosunmu is now teaming up with fellow Illini Terrence Shannon Jr.

Keep an eye on the Wolves pic.twitter.com/WodaH5TQkw

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) February 5, 2026

An Illini reunion?

Ayo Dosunmu will provide versatile guard play alongside Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Currently, Edwards carries a heavy offensive load on the perimeter alongside sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo. Dosunmu will certainly provide strong shooting and the ability to playmake off the ball and apply rim pressure alongside Edwards. Ayo is a strong perimeter defender, which should relieve any kind of defensive burdens currently placed on Edwards and DiVincenzo.

A major note to keep track of is the presence of former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. This officially means that Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr., two Illini basketball greats, are now teammates. Shannon Jr. has struggled with injury this year and has had inconsistent minutes, and I do think that Dosunmu’s arrival makes his playing team even more sparse. However, it will certainly be cool to see Dosunmu and Shannon Jr. on the court together.

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