The Chicago Bulls are entering the 2025 offseason in yet another rebuild. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, no one on the roster besides Matas Buzelis is considered to be untouchable.
One of the first areas of the roster that the Bulls’ front office needs to address is their overcrowded backcourt. The Bulls finished the season with nine guards on their roster, amounting to 60% of the team. While Jevon Carter, Tre Jones, and Talen Horton-Tucker all enter free agency this offseason, the Bulls will still be a predominantly guard-heavy team.
Coby White and Josh Giddey will likely be considered as building blocks by the front office. Ayo Dosunmu stands out as the odd one out and a prime trade candidate this offseason. Keeping that in mind, here are three teams that make sense as trade suitors for Dosunmu if the front office decides to trade him.
3 Potential Trade Destinations for Ayo Dosunmu
Houston Rockets
The Rockets stand out as an appealing option for Dosunmu, as they lack backcourt depth behind Fred VanVleet. Dosunmu would be able to come off the bench as an efficient role player for Ime Udoka’s defensive-minded squad. His ability to guard multiple positions would provide the Rockets with more flexibility when scheming on defense.
Dosunmu’s offensive game reads room for improvement. However, the Rockets are filled with enough talented young playmakers to make up for it. Dosunmu will be in a position to run pick-and-rolls with Alperen Sengun and help the team thrive with his off-ball movement.
The Rockets are in a position where the moves they make this offseason will define their trajectory for the rest of the decade. They have the young talent to be a contender in the West, but they need to further round out their team. Dosunmu makes a great candidate to be a key role player for Houston with his affordable, team-friendly contract of $7 million a year and room to develop on both ends of the ball.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons previously expressed interest in Dosunmu two years ago around the 2023 trade deadline. While the Pistons’ outlook has shifted dramatically since then, Dosunmu still stands out as an ideal fit for their current roster.
Dosunmu’s versatility and ability to guard the perimeter would boost the team’s backcourt defense, especially when Cade Cunningham is sitting on the bench. The Pistons finished with a top-10 defensive rating in the NBA this season, making him a great fit for coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotation.
The athleticism and raw talent that Dosunmu possesses leave room for development on offense. Coming off the bench, Dosunmu could be a valuable asset at the rim. While his outside shooting is not great, having Malik Beasley (if he re-signs) or Jaden Ivey on the court with Dosunmu at the same time will take some pressure off him and allow him to make plays running point.
Dallas Mavericks
Dosunmu to Dallas is the final destination that makes sense from a logistical standpoint. With Kyrie Irving rehabbing an ACL tear at 33 years old and Spencer Dinwiddie approaching unrestricted free agency, the Mavericks need some assistance at point guard. The Mavericks’ front office has repeatedly stated its commitment to being a defensive-minded team, and Dosunmu comes to mind as a great fit.
Dosunmu would be able to take some of the pressure off Kyrie next season, who will likely be on limited minutes to start the season. With Anthony Davis and likely Cooper Flagg locking down the frontcourt, Dosunmu would have less pressure but still an important role, being one of the lead defenders in the backcourt.
Dosunmu’s off-ball offense would complement Davis and Flagg well, allowing him to potentially have a career-high season in assists. With his team-friendly contract, taking on Dosunmu would be a low-risk, potentially high-reward acquisition.
The Last Word
These three teams complement Dosunmu’s skill set the best if the Bulls decide to make a trade. The Bulls have a lengthy offseason ahead with no clear path to the future in sight. Even if Dosunmu does not get traded, decluttering the backcourt will need to be the first priority for Chicago.
Featured image: © Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
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