Timberwolves & Bulls Exchange Young Guards – Who Got The Better Deal?

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls have exchanged a pair of young guards. 

The Timberwolves got Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips in exchange for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks. 

Dosunmu was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft. He earned playing time in his rookie year, appearing in 77 games and starting 40. In 2023-24, his points per game jumped to 12.2. His points per game have jumped again this season to 15. He’s in the final season of a three-year contract. 

Dillingham was drafted with the No. 8 pick of the 2024 NBA draft. The Timberwolves had traded up to draft him. In his rookie season, he struggled to find consistent playing time in the crowded Timberwolves guard depth. He was given some playing time this season when Mike Conley was hurt, but failed to show improvement.

Dosunmu has proven himself to be a strong perimeter defender. This will take defensive pressure off Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. However, he doesn’t help much with playmaking. He averages only 3 assists per game in his career. 

Dillingham will look to live up to his lofty draft expectations with the Bulls. He was compared to Kemba Walker and Brandon Jennings. So far, he hasn’t shown the shot creation that either of those guys had. The Bulls have very crowded guard depth as well. Josh Giddey was playing like an All-Star before he got hurt. Meanwhile, Jaden Ivey was also recently acquired in a trade and has shown more potential than Dillingham so far. 

The Timberwolves are trying to make the playoffs for the fifth straight season. They have the fifth-longest playoff streak in the NBA. They currently hold the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. The Bulls will look to balance developing young talent with pursuing a playoff spot.