3 Reasons Why the Minnesota Timberwolves Are a Great Fit for Kentucky Guard Rob Dillingham
Rob Dillingham’s offensive skillset makes him a great fit for many teams, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are the perfect match. Dillingham was one of the most talked-about prospects entering the NBA Draft due to his offensive prowess, despite concerns about his defense and team fit. Ultimately, he was selected 8th overall by the Timberwolves.
On draft night, Dillingham expressed his excitement about joining the Timberwolves: “Yeah, playing with Anthony Edwards and the whole Timberwolves. They were in the Western Conference Finals. So it’s really just a blessing because I get to learn from a lot of players and veterans and players that are real good,” he said. “Them helping me is just a plus for me.”
After a 56-26 regular season, the Timberwolves lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Dallas Mavericks and needed to strengthen their roster to advance further.
Draymond Green praised the Timberwolves for drafting Dillingham: “And the reason the Timberwolves won the draft is because they drafted their point guard of the future in Rob Dillingham — who I think is a very special player. Some of those teams at the top of the draft were afraid of because he got swag and he got game and they don’t know if his game is going to fit into their systems.”
So, why is Dillingham a great fit for the Timberwolves? Here are three reasons:
- Leadership at the Position to Learn From Every rookie benefits from strong mentorship, and Dillingham will have that in Minnesota. Mike Conley, one of the best leaders and most respected players in the NBA, will be a great mentor. Conley, who won the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award for the fourth time this season, has 18 years of NBA experience and knows what it takes to be a professional on and off the court.
Although Conley and Dillingham have different skillsets, Conley’s maturity and professionalism will be invaluable. On the court, Dillingham will learn from Anthony Edwards, a rising star who improved his shot creation and playmaking skills significantly this past season.
- Keys to the Second Unit Dillingham’s scoring ability off the dribble makes him a valuable asset for the Timberwolves. With the expected departure of backup point guards Monte Morris and Jordan McLaughlin, Dillingham will have significant playing time and opportunities to showcase his scoring and playmaking skills. The Timberwolves struggled to find true scorers in the backcourt and off the bench, but Dillingham’s arrival addresses this issue.
As Draymond Green said, “When you can just get a really good player who can score the basketball, figure out how the system works for him and then all of the sudden the franchise is in a territory that it’s never been in before.” Dillingham will likely have the freedom to display his offensive talents early in his career.
- Defensive Issues Likely Masked by Roster Construction While Dillingham’s defensive lapses are a concern, the Timberwolves’ roster construction will help mitigate these issues. With strong defenders like Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards on the wing and one of the best shot blockers in Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves can cover for Dillingham’s defensive shortcomings. Minnesota was ranked No. 1 in defensive efficiency last season, and this strong defensive foundation will allow Dillingham to develop his defensive skills without being a liability.
Overall, Minnesota offers an excellent environment for Dillingham to grow and succeed, making it a great fit for the young guard.
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