Regardless of not having essentially the most attention-grabbing offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves must be proper within the thick of the Western Convention playoff race subsequent season. Coming off back-to-back journeys to the Western Convention Finals, the Wolves did nicely to carry again Naz Reid and Julius Randle with out breaking the financial institution.
Nonetheless, they should rely extra on youthful gamers to attempt to offset what is without doubt one of the costliest groups within the NBA. Which means 2024 eighth total decide Rob Dillingham will seemingly must play an enormous function.
Particularly with the ageing Mike Conley. Sadly, Dillingham has but to show that he could make an enormous leap in his second season, casting doubt on his potential.
The Minnesota Timberwolves want Rob Dillingham to emerge
Dillingham hasn’t had a lot of an opportunity to show himself up to now, however the outcomes have been largely combined when he has. Throughout his first NBA Summer season League, he averaged 13.6 factors and seven.6 assists, although he shot simply 36% from the sector and averaged 3.4 turnovers per recreation.
He was higher this previous Summer season League, averaging 17.3 factors and 6.5 assists, although he once more struggled, capturing simply 39.4% from the sector and averaging 4.3 turnovers per recreation. For a participant taken within the lottery and having price the Timberwolves an unprotected first and a decide swap, his play up to now may not encourage a lot confidence.
The counterpoint is that it is solely NBA Summer season League, he is younger, and he was higher than anticipated as a passer. Then once more, most first-round picks play nicely throughout their first Summer season League and even higher throughout their second stint. He wasn’t all that nice throughout both.
Dillingham has clear flaws however might assist the Wolves
Dillingham wasn’t overly spectacular in both of his first two preseason video games both. Up to now, he is shot simply 4-17 from the sector and regarded particularly tough towards the Indiana Pacers.
Given his lack of peak, he could proceed to wrestle to complete on the rim, although he has the power to get into the paint. That has helped him as a playmaker, with him having the ability to collapse defenses, however his lack of ending and his shocking struggles as a 3-point shooter are hurting him.
He will not essentially must excel at all the pieces subsequent season to assist them. But when he can reduce down on his turnovers, he truly might assist the Wolves’ offense. And if he regains his capturing contact from exterior, he may very well be a good sufficient scorer to warrant minutes at level guard.
All advised, the Wolves want Dillingham to emerge as a key participant for them subsequent season. Primarily based on his performances since being drafted, the percentages appear stacked towards him, but when he can play a job on the Wolves, then they’d be significantly better for it.
