Mike Brown
Getty
The New York Knicks could target this Bulls point guard.
The NBA trade deadline is less than one week away. Teams have until Thursday, February 5th, to finalize trades and set their rosters for the rest of the year. The New York Knicks are expected to be active on the trade market. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been at the forefront of trade talks, but the Knicks could also bring in other players to improve the team. Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls is one of those players.
Per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Dosunmu is someone New York could target in the next couple of days. Dosunmu is in the last year of his deal with Chicago and is someone the Bulls are willing to part ways with. For the right price, of course.
Ayo Dosunmu’s Price Tag is Higher Than Expected
Ayo Dosunmu
GettyThe Knicks could target Ayo Dosunmu at the trade deadline.
Bondy recognizes that Dosunmu comes with a hefty price tag. He is having a fantastic year as a role player and spot starter for the Bulls. The Chicago native is averaging a career-high 15.1 points per game, while shooting a career-best 45.4% from three-point range. Dosunmu is doing all this while playing the second-fewest minutes per game in his five seasons in the NBA.
Dosunmu would truly be a half-year rental for New York. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, so the Knicks would have to extend him to keep him in at Madison Square Garden. Additionally, Spotrac has his potential AAV next year listed at $14.3 million.
Still, the Bulls will be asking a lot to part ways with their backup point guard, especially with the injuries in Chicago.
The Knicks have quite a few picks to trade if that is the route they decide to go. But New York does need to keep the salary cap in mind. They are already over the luxury tax threshold and the first apron. But the Knicks are still below the second apron.
If they decide to make any trade, New York will have to part ways with a player of equal or greater contract value to stay below that second apron. Trading only picks for Dosunmu will put New York over that second apron.
With Dosunmu playing really well and the Knicks so close to the second apron, the Bulls have all the leverage in trade negotiations. Yes, Dosunmu is available. But it will not come cheap.
Dosunmu’s Fit on the Knicks
Ayo Dosunmu
GettyAyo Dosunmu would give the Knicks a much-needed backup point guard.
Obviously, Dosunmu is not a starter on the Knicks. He will play behind Jalen Brunson. But New York could use someone who will give valuable minutes off the bench, while letting Brunson get some rest.
When Brunson is on the floor, the Knicks score 11.3 more points per 100 possessions. He makes a huge difference offensively when on the court, and the Knicks have to find a way to keep it up when he needs the inevitable break.
Dosunmu could be just the player Mike Brown is looking for. It is going to take some work for the Knicks to acquire Dosumnu, especially to stay below the second apron. But if a trade is to happen, the Knicks would be getting a great backup point guard as they look to make a playoff run.