With the eighth overall choice in the 2024 NBA Draft, the University of Kentucky player Rob Dillingham was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs. We soon found out that Dillingham’s draft rights had been exchanged for a deal with San Antonio by the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was supposed to be a quiet night for the Wolves, yet instead they selected one of the draft class’s most intriguing players.
The 19-year-old Dillingham is a deft and speedy three-level scorer who showed promise in his one and only season at Kentucky. Critics have criticized him for his small stature and limited defensive potential. Nonetheless, this transaction should delight Wolves supporters. Due to his impending 37th birthday in October, Mike Conley has become the Timberwolves’ obvious successor.
The Wolves have needed Conley’s impact to compete in the Western Conference. Although he signed a two-year, $21 million contract extension in February, the Wolves didn’t have a long-term answer at point guard until drafting Dillingham on Wednesday night.
Conley is someone Dillingham can learn a lot from, and if you were Chris Finch, there aren’t many other guys you would want your rookie guard to learn from. Prior to the draft, Finch discussed the Wolves’ desire for a “couple [of] plug-and-play rookies” with Darren Wolfson of Ch. 5.
“Rookies find it difficult to play where we are,” Finch remarked. “But looking ahead, we’ll need to start adding more young, talented players to the rotation,”
After Round 1 of the draft, Tim Connelly elaborated on this idea.
Connelly stated, “He’s a guy that’s going to have a role from Day 1.” “You don’t seem to be that aggressive in the top 10 with a player you don’t think has the ability to play,”
Conley, who struggled with injuries during Minnesota’s playoff run, may find it encouraging. As he ages, the Wolves won’t need to rely on him as much. Selecting a youthful guard like Dillingham, who is ready to play right away, will enable Conley to perform at his peak without tiring. Recall that for the majority of the season, the Timberwolves did not have a second point guard on their roster. The Wolves made taking care of that a top priority this offseason.
Minnesota addressed its inability to create shots, which was evident in their Western Conference Finals defeat to the Dallas Mavericks, by selecting Dillingham. The Wolves were unable to match the prolific shooting of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, who put on a clinic. In the 2024 draft class, Dillingham might be the best shot creator. Under Conley’s guidance, he can become an offensive weapon with no boundaries once he refines his playmaking skills.
Dillingham knows he is not very good on defense. Dillingham was asked what defensive advancements he hopes to achieve after being chosen.
In an interview with Taylor Rooks, Dillingham stated, “Super strides, just by getting bigger and actually learning how to lock up and give effort on every play.”
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