The Wolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu from the Bulls

The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired guard Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls, adding a proven scorer to bolster the team’s depth for an extended run in a stacked Western Conference playoff race, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been finalized previously NBAwith Delivery time Approaching in the afternoon. The Timberwolves have agreed to send 2024 first-round pick Rob Dillingham, reserve depth Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to the Bulls for Dosunmu and forward Julian Phillips.

Dosunmu, who was selected in the second round by his hometown Bulls in the 2021 draft, is making about $7.5 million in the final season of his current contract. The 26-year-old is averaging 15 points per game and shooting a career-best 45.1 percent from 3-point range. His role with the Bulls fluctuated over five seasons, making 164 appearances in 324 games, but he would fill the Timberwolves’ apparent need for more offense off the bench.

The Timberwolves, who are 32-20 and entered the day in fifth place in the West, traded revered veteran Mike Conley to the Bulls earlier in the week. Conley was then tackled by guard Coby White To the Charlotte Hornets. If the Hornets cut Conley to a contract buyout, he would then be able to re-sign with the Timberwolves.

Dillingham was the eighth overall pick out of Kentucky before last season, but the 21-year-old has been slow to develop and has yet to gain the coaching staff’s trust as the true point guard the team needs in light of Conley’s declining production. Dillingham is averaging 3.5 points, 1.7 assists and 9.3 minutes this season, playing in 35 games.