The Chicago Bulls picked Ayo Dosunmu as their 38th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Dosunmu, an Illinois native, played three seasons for the Fighting Illini where he immediately rose as a productive piece for coach Brad Underwood. In this post, we'll be giving a Chicago Bulls 2021 NBA Draft grade for the only pick in the event.
The Bulls are already loaded at the guard spot, which would make it close to impossible for Dosunmu to have some playing time. Despite this, let's see how he would fit with his new team, as well as the things he needs to work on to make the transition to the big leagues.
Chicago Bulls 2021 NBA Draft Grade
38th Pick Ayo Dosunmu: B
On the offensive end, what stands out is Dosunmu's transition play. The 6-foot-4 guard likes to run and for a very good reason: he's lightning-quick and has no trouble getting ahead of everyone else. Running the break isn't just a matter of outrunning everyone. It also involves making the right decision at the right time. An error could turn the sides and translate into a fastbreak opportunity for the opposing team.
This is not a problem for Ayo Dosunmu as he knows when to score it himself or dish it off. In his junior year with Illinois, he bumped his average to 5.3 assists per game from 3.3. Dosunmu isn't really a playmaker by nature and so this development in his game is very welcome.
Though Dosunmu averaged 20.1 points per game last season, it would be close to impossible to see him put similar numbers once he steps foot in the NBA. As for one, there are some lingering concerns about his handles. The ball easily gets stripped off during his drives to the hoop. This is a major no-no if you're a guard. This made it difficult for the guard to finish in traffic. It also cuts the momentum off the entire play. In terms of orchestrating the offense, Ayo Dosunmu needs some major work as it's not uncommon to see him botch simple pick-and-rolls.
For all his weaknesses on offense, he could still be a valuable defensive piece for the second unit (if ever Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan does field him). His massive 6-foot-10 wingspan is an advantage no matter where you look at it. On top of this, he has decent mobility and strength which allows him to guard positions one through three. There are some instances wherein Dosunmu was the one who was attacking the offensive player. This is a good sign of his enthusiasm at this end of the floor. He also knows how to fight through screens in pick-and-rolls.
It's puzzling to see the Chicago Bulls add another guard to their roster. They just acquired Lonzo Ball who will definitely be their starting guard for the next few years. This move was great. However, it put the Bulls in a vulnerable spot in terms of Coby White's future. White will likely be the backup guard to Ball, no matter how foolish it seems given White's potential. Not to mention that the Bulls also added Alex Caruso in the fold. He's not a playmaker like White but he's a way better defender than him. Caruso is also capable of defending positions one and two with ease.
Given their dilemmas at the point guard spot, Ayo Dosunmu will not receive much playing time in his first two seasons. Don't be surprised if the Chicago Bulls relegate him to the G League to develop his skills.
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