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The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Julius Randle away on Monday night, a headline-grabbing move that flew under the rumor radar before it actually happened.
It was a three-team deal, with the Brooklyn Nets getting Randle, the Chicago Bulls getting Nic Claxton and the Wolves essentially dumping Randle's salary with a small decline in draft pick, too.
The reason for the move wasn't Giannis Antetokounmpo, as some may have initially wondered.
It was for Ayo Dosunmu.
This is what ESPN's Shams Charania wrote on X after the deal was reported:
"Timberwolves free up significant salary with the remaining two years of Randle's deal, giving them more flexibility to retain Ayo Dosunmu and use exceptions. Nets acquire a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward in Randle into their cap space -- plus a first-rounder. Chicago uses part of its space on a talented athletic center, a position of need, with $30 million in room left."
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And less than two hours later, the Dosunmu news arrived.
"Free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN," Charania wrote. "Timberwolves made it a major priority to lock in Dosunmu after his tremendous postseason."
By doing this two-pronged move, the Timberwolves remove some size in favor of some perimeter skill.
Minnesota still has Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid to lead the interior. Dosunmu is a huge piece to keep on the outside.
Randle had to go, but the Timberwolves have made clear their priority now. Anthony Edwards keeps a big help in the guard rotation in the form of Dosunmu.
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