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Struggles Continue for MN Timberwolves Top Pick
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- Struggles Continue for MN Timberwolves Top Pick
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to push towards the opening tip of the regular season . They are just under two weeks from that October 22nd contest against the Trailblazers in Portland.
This offseason the most significant need for the roster looked to be a point guard who can facilitate. Tim Connelly opted against finding someone for that role, and Rob Dillingham will need to be much better in year two.
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Unfortunately, the early returns have not been heartwarming in that regard.
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Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Rob Dillingham still fighting it for Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves jumped up to 8th overall during the 2024 NBA Draft in order to select Rob Dillingham . They hoped the Kentucky product could be an elite player at the point guard position, but that wasn't at all evident last season. The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski is concern about the early preseason returns as well.
"I think the key for Rob is to pick a direction and go," Finch said. "I think physicality gets him if he's trying to always reverse course. Then, if he has to fight it at that point in time, he should be looking to get off of it."
Dillingham looked his best when he was out in the open court, particularly during a sequence in the second quarter when he grabbed the ball in transition, surged up the court, hit the paint against Pacers big Jay Huff and kicked it out to Terrence Shannon Jr. for a wide-open corner 3. Finch wants Dillingham to keep things simple and to use his speed to inject pace into the game.
"When he puts his shoulder down and picks a direction, he can turn the corner, and it opens up a lot of passing angles and other opportunities for him," Finch said.
It is still early, but Hyland just seems to have a much better feel for who he is as a player and what he can do to help than Dillingham. The 2024 No. 8 pick is still just 20 years old and barely played as a rookie last year. The learning curve will be unavoidable. He needs time to play, adjust to the speed of the game and figure out who he is as a player.
The reality is that Dillingham is very young. As Krawczysnki points out, he is just 20 years old. That said, this is a Timberwolves team with intentions on winning now. It's almost impossible for them to do that if Dillingham doesn't take significant steps forward this season.
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As a rookie, Dillingham played in 49 games but averaged just 10.5 minutes per game. He shot 44.1% from the field, but only 33.8% from deep. As Finch noted to The Athletic, how well Dillingham can adjust to the speed of the game is key.
This is what Rob Dillingham needs to do offensively whenever he's on the court
Use his speed and handle to get into the paint and create havoc on the defense, creating openings for his teammates on the 3PT-line
pic.twitter.com/jb2kRO85Mf— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) October 10, 2025
Minnesota needs Dillingham to be able to defend and create. He doesn't have to be an offensive weapon, but he can't be a defensive liability. The Timberwolves have playmakers around him to score the rock. He needs to earn a right to stay on the court and then get them the ball.
Chris Finch will need someone to step into a transition process for Mike Conley. The 37-year-old showed clear signs of decline last year, and finding the next man up may determine the ultimate outcome for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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