On Tuesday, a report broke that former Illinois basketball guard Ayo Dosunmu might be on the move.
According to 670 The Score, Ayo is unlikely to be back with the Chicago Bulls. They also mention that the former Illini All-American believes he won’t be back with the Bulls as well.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 - Jason & @dan_bernstein have some news regarding Bull's Guard #AyoDosunmu and his future with the team on 'Organizations Win Championships'...
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) July 18, 2023
🎧: https://t.co/PV8oiRGyVF pic.twitter.com/ivyjDz4bWc
The Bulls have extended a qualifying offer to Ayo, as he is a restricted free agent. Likely, the only way Chicago loses Ayo this season is if another team comes in with a bigger contact and the Bulls don’t match. There is also the possibility of a trade.
With this news coming down the pipeline, it got me thinking about potential landing spots for Ayo. He is a talented guard who has a lot of years left in the tires. He can also stabilize a backcourt for numerous franchises around the NBA.
I put together a list of three franchises that could use Ayo in the backcourt. I didn’t hammer out the cap situation for each team, so it might not be plausible. This list is just about fit and need.
Here are three NBA teams that could use former Illinois basketball guard Ayo Dosunmu
1. Toronto Raptors
With the reports of Ayo likely not coming back with the Bulls, there are numerous options for landing spots.
In the report that Ayo wasn’t returning to Chicago, 670 The Score also reported that the Toronto Raptors were a potential landing spot for the former Illini standout.
The Raptors seem to be rebuilding, and honestly, they have been since their NBA Championship in 2019.
- Additions
Toronto added point guard Dennis Schroder this offseason. He gives them much-needed experience in the backcourt. Schroder has also started to develop his offensive game over the past few years.
I love the draft pick of Gradey Dick. I think Dick is going to be a dangerous scoring option on the wing. Look for him to be a solid go-to guy for Toronto on offense.
- Departures/Potential Departures
Both O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam have been rumored in multiple trades this offseason. It wouldn’t shock me to see at least one of those talented players heading out of Toronto.
- Where Ayo Dosunmu would fit in
As the roster sits right now, I would imagine Ayo would come into the Toronto franchise and compete for the backup at the No. 1 guard spot. Schroder has that position locked up as a starter, but I think Ayo could beat out someone like Malachi Flynn for the primary backup job.
If someone like Anunoby gets traded, this opens the door for Ayo to see starts with the Raptors. I think Toronto will move some pieces this summer, so this might be a good landing spot for Ayo to prove himself in the NBA.