Timberwolves Struggle After Ayo Dosunmu Trade: Defense Collapse and Coaching Questions
The Minnesota Timberwolves went 1-3 this past week despite adding Ayo Dosunmu at the trade deadline, raising serious questions about effort, defense, and head coach Chris Finch's future with the team.
Weekly Recap: A Disappointing Stretch
The Wolves dropped three of four games in a week that should have energized the roster:
Loss to Memphis Grizzlies: 128-137
Win vs Toronto Raptors: 128-126 (comeback victory)
Loss to New Orleans Pelicans: 115-119
Blowout loss to LA Clippers: 96-115
The team has now lost 8 of their last 13 games and sits just a half-game out of the 7th seed, making their playoff positioning increasingly precarious.
Defense Disappears
The defensive collapse has been stunning. After posting the 2nd-ranked defense during their 4-0 week prior, the Timberwolves plummeted to 29th-ranked defense this week against far inferior competition.
"No defense, no effort," was the assessment on this week's episode. Players like Connie Niederhauser were owning the boards and throwing down dunks against Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. The lack of intensity was visible throughout the lineup.
Ayo Dosunmu Makes His Debut
Despite the team's struggles, Ayo Dosunmu showed promise in his first game with Minnesota. The former Chicago Bulls guard brought hustle and energy, even in a losing effort against the Clippers.
What Wolves Fans Should Expect from Ayo
Special guest Justin from J Talks Hoops, a longtime Bulls fan, joined the podcast to break down what Minnesota is getting:
Strengths:
Elite downhill finishing ability - "one of the best in the NBA"
Solid 45% three-point shooting on catch-and-shoot opportunities
Versatile defender who can guard positions 1-3 with a 6'8"-6'9" wingspan
Constant off-ball movement and cutting
High-energy, scrappy mentality
What He's Not:
Not a dynamic on-ball creator like Conley
Won't excel at creating his own shot off the dribble
Best as a connective piece rather than primary initiator
"He's the best option you could get at the guard position for your roster," Justin explained. "Think Bruce Brown-type player who excels off-ball."
The Julian Phillips Wild Card
The Wolves also acquired Julian Phillips in the Rob Dillingham trade. While Phillips has never carved out a consistent NBA role, he offers intriguing upside:
6'7" with long arms and good athleticism
Strong help-side defender with shot-blocking ability
Developing corner three-point game
Compared to a "light version of Derrick Jones Jr."
Always plays with high effort and energy
The question is whether Chris Finch will give him the minutes to develop, given his reluctance to play young players.
Did the Wolves Overpay?
Despite trading four second-round picks for Dosunmu, Bulls fans universally believe Minnesota got a steal. Rob Dillingham had shown minimal NBA readiness, and Dosunmu was rated as the top available guard at the deadline by multiple national outlets.
"You got the best guard available essentially for free," Justin noted, "and he really could be the piece that helps you get over the hump."
Rudy vs. Finch: Accountability Battle
After the Pelicans loss, Rudy Gobert publicly called out the team's lack of effort and accountability. His message was clear: if players won't hold themselves accountable, coaches need to step in.
Chris Finch's response? He criticized Rudy for going public with his concerns.
The contradiction is glaring - Finch regularly calls out players publicly but took issue with Rudy doing the same as a veteran leader. The Wolves then followed up with a lifeless blowout loss to the Clippers, suggesting either:
The team doesn't care what Finch says, or
He never actually addressed the issues
Neither scenario is encouraging.
Is Finch's Job in Jeopardy?
The consensus on the podcast was clear: unless something changes dramatically, Chris Finch will likely be gone in the offseason.
The Wolves have far more talent than teams like the Lakers, Clippers, and Suns, yet they're sliding down the standings. Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo combined for just 3 points in the Clippers loss. Julius Randle took 15 minutes to score his first points while settling for jump shots.
"Do you guys care?" has become the central question surrounding this roster.
Trade Deadline: The Giannis That Wasn't
The trade deadline passed with Giannis Antetokounmpo staying in Milwaukee. Other notable moves:
James Harden to Cleveland (redundant with Donovan Mitchell?)
Anthony Davis to Washington
Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah
Porzingis to Golden State
Zubac to Indiana
For the Wolves, dodging the Giannis bullet may have been the right call. While pairing two top-5 players would've been exciting, gutting the roster's depth and trading away all of Ant's friends for an uncertain title shot carried massive risk.
"If you put yourself in a position where you have no draft capital, two players taking up most of your salary cap, haven't won a title, and Ant's buddies are gone," the worry is whether Anthony Edwards would want out in a few years.
Looking Ahead
The Wolves have approximately 25 games left to figure things out. They'll need to:
Rediscover defensive intensity and effort
Integrate Ayo Dosunmu effectively
Get consistent production from the supporting cast
Determine if Chris Finch can still reach this team
With the playoffs still achievable but seeding slipping, Minnesota's margin for error continues to shrink.
Listen to the full episode for more in-depth analysis, including the exclusive interview with Bulls insider Justin breaking down Ayo Dosunmu's game.
Dads and Dunks drops every Monday at 6am with 35-minute recaps of Timberwolves action, stats, and storylines. Follow us @dadsanddunks or email dadsanddunks@gmail.com
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