Report questions Ayo Dosunmu re-signing

Was this the right move by the Bulls?

© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls stayed busy during the offseason, retaining several of their free agents and signing others who they're counting on to help them break into the NBA Playoffs next season. While most of these moves were considered as positive by pundits and observers—the Jevon Carter deal could truly be very impactful—there was one that the Bulls made late in the free agency period that had experts scratching their heads.

Ayo on a three-year, $21-million deal

Given Ayo Dosunmu's restricted free agency status, the decision by the Bulls to allow the market to dictate the terms of his next contract was a savvy move. However, the Bulls eventually deviated from that tactic and handed the guard from Illinois a three-year, $21-million-contract.

This move has raised some eyebrows as many feel that this was an overpay for his services, considering his lack of consistency and production up to this point in his career.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report had some critical questions about the Bulls' move.

"Who were they bidding against, exactly? And what gives them confidence he'll even have the chance to live up to this contract?" Buckley wrote.

Dosunmu has a lot going against him heading to the new season. For one, he joins a loaded backcourt that already has Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, Coby White, Dalen Terry, and added Jevon Carter.

"He appears to be, at best, fifth in the backcourt rotation behind Zach LaVine, Jevon Carter, Alex Caruso and Coby White. Should Dalen Terry—last summer's No. 18 pick—ever show signs of life, that could put yet another obstacle in front of Dosunmu," Buckley added.

OFFICIAL: We have re-signed Chicago's own Ayo Dosunmu.

Welcome back, @AyoDos_11! pic.twitter.com/K8Tc1Yt8Mp

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 23, 2023

Still needs a lot of work

At 6-foot-5, 200-pounds, Dosunmu has the size and length to be a solid guard in the NBA. He already has plenty of experience, having started 91 of the 157 games he's played in so far. However, there's no question that his game still needs a lot of fine-tuning, especially his perimeter shooting.

"Theoretically, he'll have chances to rise above this role, but his game needs a lot of work. He is an unreliable (and sometimes unwilling) shooter from distance, not a natural playmaker and limited as an off-the-dribble attacker," Buckley continued.

"In other words, he has more question marks than you'd like for someone collecting a $7 million annual salary. And ironing out his weaknesses will be a challenge when the Bulls can't guarantee him the developmental minutes he needs."