His current position as an anchoring sixth man is a more accurate representation of his stabilized role with the Bulls. Dosunmu started seven games out of necessity when the Bulls were hit with a series of injuries in late November and early December. But when the roster is closer to whole, Dosunmu is typically the first man off the bench, averaging 26.2 minutes.<\/p>\n
That represents his lowest playing time since his second season. Although he maintains a goal of ascending to a consistent starting role, Dosunmu isn\u2019t one to fuss over rotations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a solution guy,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m always looking for solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the reduced minutes have stoked Dosunmu\u2019s efficiency. He\u2019s shooting 45% behind the 3-point arc on 4.1 attempts per game \u2014 both career-best numbers \u2014 and accomplishing that higher volume in significantly fewer minutes.<\/p>\n
He credits the improved accuracy partially to his shot selection, which has improved by taking fewer midrange jumpers, lining up shots behind screens and pulling up off the dribble. But if he\u2019s being honest, Dosunmu has to concede another source for his improved shooting: His shoulder finally works again.<\/p>\n
Dosunmu missed the second half of the 2024-25 season to undergo surgery to repair his left shoulder<\/a>, in which a fracture had caused repeated dislocations for nearly two years. While the injury wasn\u2019t to his shooting shoulder, it still affected the overall carriage of his upper body, hampering his accuracy on the days when he couldn\u2019t raise his left arm more than 90 degrees.<\/p>\n Now coach Billy Donovan has just one request for Dosunmu\u2019s shots: Take more of them.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s very, very good in the open court, but I also think there\u2019s opportunities \u2014 with the way he\u2019s shooting the ball \u2014 where he can\u2019t be turning down shots,\u201d Donovan said. \u201cHe needs to take those. So the decision-making on when to shoot, when to pass, when to drive \u2014 all of that stuff needs to continue to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n Shooting is crucial for Dosunmu, but if he wants to continue his growth, it can\u2019t be the centerpiece of his game.<\/p>\n With Josh Giddey sidelined indefinitely<\/a> by a hamstring injury, the Bulls need playmaking more than ever. Coby White and Tre Jones are providing the bulk of that creation in the starting lineup \u2014 with some help from Matas Buzelis<\/a> \u2014 but in the second unit, the burden falls mainly on Dosunmu.<\/p>\n Dosunmu doesn\u2019t need to provide the same dynamism as Giddey, but he needs to offer stability with the ball in his hands, marshaling the offense and controlling the spacing and flow of action. Donovan believes Dosunmu is a natural playmaker in the open court. Now he aims to prove he can handle a greater responsibility in the half-court offense.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been a playmaker my whole life,\u201d Dosunmu said. \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019ve always hung my hat on. I\u2019m a playmaker, a competitor, a two-way player.\u201d<\/p>\n The better Dosunmu plays, the more one question grows: Is he more valuable to the Bulls on the roster or on the trade market?<\/p>\n Dosunmu is one of seven Bulls on an expiring contract this season. He\u2019s extension-eligible, which means the Bulls could add four years and $87 million to his current contract anytime before July. But for a team hammering the importance of \u201cflexibility\u201d this summer, every role player is potentially on the market at the Feb. 5 trade deadline.<\/p>\n The problem with shopping Dosunmu is that no other team values him as highly as the Bulls do. It\u2019s a common misconception outside Chicago. Executives, pundits and fans often will label a Bulls player as a potential \u201csteal\u201d leading up to the deadline. Dosunmu is only the latest example.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s nearly impossible to fleece the Bulls for players whom they value so highly. Although his $7.5 million annual salary might not show it, Dosunmu, who turns 26 next week, still is seen as a crucial part of the \u201cyoung core\u201d around which Art\u016bras Karni\u0161ovas plans to build.<\/p>\n![\"Bulls](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CTC-L-BULLS-76ERS-55.jpg\")
Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu makes a 3-pointer against the 76ers on Dec. 26, 2025, at the United Center. (Dominic Di Palermo\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Bears](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CTC-L-bears-vikings-0908-20_234867951_d332e8.jpg\")
Bears President Kevin Warren hugs Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu before the Bears-Vikings game Sept. 8, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n