Ayo Dosunmu is suddenly a headache.
Not just for the opposition on both ends of the floor, but for his own Bulls organization.
What to do, what to do?
The guard is fully recovered from 2025 season-ending shoulder surgery and that’s been very evident in three preseason games in which Dosunmu leads the team in scoring (16.7 points per game), as well as plus-minus for the rotation regulars (plus-17). He’s emerging as a possible elite defender, according to coach Billy Donovan. And he’s also in the final year of his contract, set to enter unrestricted free agency this summer.
That’s a headache.
Do the Bulls have to choose between extending either Dosunmu or Coby White – also unrestricted in the summer? Do they possibly have to look to trade one of the two? Do they ride the Dosunmu-White contracts out, knowing they could each walk and leave the organization with nothing in return? Do they try and extend both guards fresh off extending point guard Josh Giddey to a four-year, $100-million deal?
Dosunmu doesn’t seem concerned about any of these questions. That’s not how he’s wired.
“My main focus is just taking it one day at a time, not worrying about next July or whenever it is because that’s going to happen when it’s going to happen,” Dosunmu said recently, when asked about his contract situation. “Just stay in the moment.”
A response that sounded very cliché, but also one that Dosunmu is backing up because he’s already having “moments” this preseason.
In the opener in Cleveland, the Bulls starters fell behind 18-6 in the first quarter, and in comes Dosunmu off the bench for a quick 10-point burst in that stanza to stop the ship from sinking.
Even in the loss to the Bucks on Sunday, Dosunmu definitely did his job, again coming off the bench to score a team-high 22 points, as well as finishing his night with a plus-11 in the plus/minus category.
In a very crowded guard room that features White, Giddey, Kevin Huerter and Tre Jones, Dosunmu is throwing his name in the hat as not only a must-play, but a must-get heavy minutes off the bench.
“I just see myself fitting in on just doing what I do,” Dosunmu said of the logjam at the guard position. “Just being able to play on both ends of the court at a high level. Of course, rebounding, defending, using my length, be able to get into the paint, knock down shots. Just being somebody who is resilient. I think I can help bring that to the team and help us win as many games as possible.
“I have full confidence in my abilities to go out there and impact winning, just find a way to be on the court.”
Donovan agreed.
The offseason was focusing on becoming a much better defensive group, specifically one that plays with more physicality.
That’s why the trade for Isaac Okoro was made, sending Lonzo Ball to the Cavs months back. But Okoro can’t carry the defense alone. That’s where Dosunmu comes in.
While White, Giddey and Huerter can fit into a team defensive mindset, individually they aren’t exactly known as lockdown defenders. In Dosunmu, Donovan sees a player that can be that.
“I think one guy that has the potential and ability to be an elite defender but hasn’t gotten there yet is Ayo,” Donovan said. “If you look at his defensive metrics, they certainly don’t add up to what he’s capable of in my opinion.”
If Dosunmu does take that jump and becomes a true two-way threat, what does that do to his price tag? The Bulls might find that out soon.
A headache indeed.
NOTE: According to Donovan, White (calf) will not play in the preseason, but the hope is to still have him ready for opening night of the regular season.