When the Minnesota Timberwolves aggressively moved up within the draft to pick out Rob Dillingham, the worth progressively raised eyebrows. An unprotected first-round decide plus a future decide swap is the kind of bundle normally reserved for gamers anticipated to contribute early or at the least present clear star potential. Two seasons in, that wager seems more and more tough to justify.
Dillingham’s second 12 months has performed little to calm considerations. As a substitute of displaying a leap, his position has shrunk, his minutes stay restricted, and the affect merely isn’t there. For a workforce constructed to contend now, persistence shouldn’t be limitless.
The manufacturing simply isn’t there for Rob Dillingham
By way of 28 video games this season, Dillingham is averaging solely 10.3 minutes per sport. In that point, he’s producing 3.9 factors, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 rebounds whereas capturing 35.5 p.c from the sphere and 34.5 p.c from three. These are end-of-bench numbers, not the road of a participant acquired at such a steep price.
Even when zooming out to his complete NBA pattern, the image doesn’t change a lot. Throughout 77 video games since final season, Dillingham is at 4.3 factors per sport in 10.5 minutes, with modest effectivity and minimal defensive affect. The flashes are there in principle, however they’re uncommon and fleeting in observe.
For a guard whose calling card was imagined to be shot creation and offensive spark, failing to constantly bend the protection is a significant purple flag. Minnesota doesn’t want him to be a star, however they do want him to be playable. Proper now, he’s barely cracking the rotation.
A crowded backcourt and shrinking runway for Rob Dillingham
Context issues, and the Timberwolves should not precisely determined for developmental minutes. This can be a workforce prioritizing profitable (particularly after two Western Convention Finals runs), construction, and defensive reliability. That surroundings is unforgiving for younger guards who battle with effectivity, decision-making, or physicality.
Dillingham’s measurement limitations present up shortly on the NBA stage. Defensively, he’s typically focused. Offensively, he struggles to complete inside and doesn’t but command sufficient respect as a scorer to open issues up for teammates. Coaches can’t justify prolonged runs when each possession issues.
The result’s a vicious cycle. Restricted minutes result in restricted rhythm, which results in extra errors, which results in even fewer alternatives. For a rebuilding workforce, that could be acceptable. For Minnesota, it’s not.
The commerce price adjustments every part for the Timberwolves
What actually seals Dillingham’s destiny is not only his play, however the context of how he arrived. An unprotected first-round decide is the sort of asset that may reshape a franchise. When that participant fails to contribute, the frustration is magnified.
Honest or not, Dillingham will all the time be judged in opposition to what that decide may have develop into or what it may have been used to amass. Followers perceive growth takes time, however in addition they perceive alternative price. Proper now, the return merely doesn’t match the funding.
That doesn’t imply Dillingham is completed within the NBA. A change of surroundings, a unique developmental timeline, or a system that provides him extra freedom may nonetheless unlock one thing. Rebuilding groups could be glad to welcome him. The Timberwolves took a swing. It hasn’t landed. He could be quickly on the chopping block, with just a few weeks forward of the commerce deadline. The clock is ticking.
