Chicago will have the Aussie with a PhD in playmaking and Coby White locked in as the scoring torchbearer. Additionally, Matas Buzelis, last year’s lottery heist, is poised for a larger role.

While there is optimism for the future, the backcourt still has question marks. And unfortunately, Ayo Dosunmu may become a casualty of a roster reshuffling.

The former second-round pick has outproduced his current team-friendly contract and will be an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly shown interest in Dosunmu, with last year’s first-round pick Dalton Knecht potentially included in return—a deal the Bulls can’t pass up on.

Dosunmu’s Grit Doesn’t Justify the Price Tag

Dosunmu, a local kid with a feel-good story, embodies Chicago. He’s worked his way into the rotation over the past few years, which culminated in a career season in 2025. He averaged career-highs in points (12.3), rebounds (3.5), and assists (4.5).

He brings hustle, energy, and a knack for making plays in the clutch. But in the NBA, sentiment only goes so far.

Coby White is likely to remain the team’s primary scorer. Giddey will have more freedom to orchestrate the offense. And the Bulls signed  Tre Jones to serve as a backup point guard.

As a combo guard with below-average three-point range, Jones will be fighting for minutes—especially with Kevin Huerter, a proven starter, and Isaac Okoro, a versatile defender, also in the mix.

Add in Dosunmu, and the backcourt rotation becomes unsustainable.

The Bulls are already paying for the lucrative extension they signed Patrick Williams to last offseason. They’ll be cautious about investing heavily in another role player.

Dalton Knecht Is a Better Fit

Enter Dalton Knecht, the Lakers 17th overall pick in 2024. At 6-foot-6, he’s an athletic wing with a natural scoring touch. He averaged 9.1 points per game on 46.1% shooting and 37.6% from three in his rookie season. The production was admirable considering he did so in just 19.2 minutes per game.

He is more than just a shooter. He has the ability to attack off the dribble and finish strong at the rim.

Knecht is still on his rookie contract and under team control for another three seasons. It’s a budget-friendly asset for a Bulls team looking to rebuild the smart way.

Stay True to The Vision

The Bulls’ offense sputtered last season, ranking 20th in offensive rating. With Knecht’s movement shooting and athleticism, the Bulls would have a dynamic edge that opposing defenses would have to account for. The spacing would turn the Bulls’ attack into a free-flowing machine, stretching defenses and opening up driving lanes for Buzelis and White, while operating as a release valve for Giddey’s crafty playmaking.

Knecht could benefit from playing along a veteran sharpshooter such as Huerter to learn how to create more space off of screens and fire without hesitation.

With the Bulls, Knecht would get the freedom to showcase his potential as a multi-faceted scorer and potentially expand his defensive impact.

As much as Dosunmu means to the city, he doesn’t fit the long-term vision. Knecht’s shooting, athleticism, and affordable contract align better with what the Bulls are building.

Trading Dosunmu for Knecht would provide Chicago the chance to take a leap. It’s time to make the move—and let the United Center dream big again.