Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, everyone begged for Trajan Langdon to make a move that would help Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons make a deep run into the playoffs.
Instead, the Pistons made marginal moves and refrained from landing a player who could have helped them not only this season, but for years to come.
That player? Ayo Dosunmu.
Fortunately for Detroit, the team has a chance to correct their blown opportunity by targeting Dosunmu in free agency and giving him the role he's been waiting for his entire career.
Ayo Dosunmu is the perfect Pistons target
Dosunmu has been one of the more intriguing backup guards in the league over the last few years.
Since earning a prominent role in the Chicago Bulls' rotation as a rookie, the former second-round pick has continuously improved to the point that many wondered why he hadn't been given a starting opportunity yet.
Part of the reason is that his talent was being wasted in Chicago, but also due to the abundance of backcourt options the Bulls had at their disposal.
As a result, Dosunmu was up for grabs at the trade deadline, and while several teams showed interest, the Minnesota Timberwolves eventually won the sweepstakes for the Illinois product.
To say he impressed during his time in Minnesota would be an understatement, averaging 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 52.1% field goal shooting and 41.4% from beyond the arc.
Not to mention, Dosunmu thrived in the postseason through two rounds, including a 43-point night against the Denver Nuggets in round 1.
Dosunmu could be the perfect pairing next to Cade Cunningham
At 26, Dosunmu still has another level to reach in his development, and it's safe to say that a starting role could give him the exact opportunity to reach that level.
The playmaker is a three-level scorer who's proven he's capable of playing alongside other guards and running the offense effectively when asked to.
That alone suggests he could be the perfect running mate alongside Cade Cunningham and an option that doesn't cost the Pistons that much.
Obviously, Detroit would probably have to free up some room in order to make a realistic offer to the guard, but there are avenues to make a deal happen.
Whether that comes at the expense of Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, or even a sign-and-trade is unknown, but regardless, Dosunmu could prove to be the player Detroit should have targeted all along.
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