Chicago Bulls players that should immediately benefit from Tristan Thompson: Ayo Dosunmu
Another Bulls player that can switch back closer to his natural position with others moving to smaller positions after the addition of Thompson to the frontcourt unit is the breakthrough rookie point guard and Chicago native Ayo Dosunmu. While it might not be a direct benefit for Dosunmu to form a connection with Dosunmu in terms of impact on his game compared to the rest of his teammates, this addition can certainly elevate his game in other ways.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Dosunmu can contribute playing at any position between the one and the three for Donovan and the Bulls this season, especially in small-ball lineups. But it looks like the natural development for Dosunmu is taking place when he gets to be more of a primary facilitator of the offense playing at the one or the two.
With the Bulls having guys like Jones, forward Troy Brown Jr., wing Javonte Green, etc. sliding up to bigger positions in the rotation of late, Dosunmu has also got to play more minutes than originally anticipated on the wing. In fact, Dosunmu has played more than 80 percent of his minutes so far this season at the two or the three.
He’s also played around the same allotment of minutes on the floor at the one compared to the three.
Dosunmu is another good example of a player that tends to thrive more so when he’s playing at the one or the two. So far this season, he’s registered a +2.5 per 100 possessions when playing at point guard. Meanwhile, his numbers actually start dipping below a -3.0 when he’s playing minutes at the two or the three.
Allowing Dosunmu to develop playing at the one does seem like a good move for Donovan and the Bulls moving forward.