The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the 2024 offseason on a mission. A mission to find their point guard of the future, to one day replace the 37-year-old Mike Conley. They completed that mission by trading a future first round pick in 2031, for the No. 8 overall pick in 2024. Then, they used that pick to draft uber-talented, bucket-getter Rob Dillingham — a 6-2, 19-year-old freshman point guard out of Kentucky.
Immediately after the draft, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly made it clear that the Wolves traded future assets for Dillingham because they want him to contribute now. Since then, however, insider stories and offseason scuttlebutt has had the Timberwolves still searching for more point guard depth.
Minnesota Timberwolves not that interested in point guard help?
But as we get closer to the start of NBA Summer League, it’s worth wondering whether or not the Wolves are actually interested in bringing in another point guard at all. Chris Hine , who covers the Timberwolves for the Star Tribune (also owned by Glen Taylor) re-reported and reiterated on Saturday what the team’s PoBO said publicly after the NBA Draft. That Rob Dillingham is going to play immediately for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham figures to get the first crack at the backup point guard minutes behind Mike Conley, and President Tim Connelly said the team expects Dillingham to play right away. That’s why they traded to get him.
Chris Hine – Star Tribune
When Tim Connelly announced to everybody that Dillingham was a big part of their immediate plans, he likely told the same thing to their veteran backup point guard Monte Morris, who the Timberwolves reportedly wanted to bring back, even after drafting Dillingham.
Did Monte Morris know PG minutes weren’t available?
Prior to draft night, the Timberwolves’ biggest concern in re-signing Morris was whether or not he’d be willing to take a veteran minimum contract, which is all they could offer. Well, he was… just not in Minnesota. Instead, he signed for the minimum in Phoenix.
Beyond the difference in winter weather, a quick look at the Suns’ depth chart tells us why. They have no idea who is going to play point guard for them next season. Phoenix has a bunch of wing talent — specifically Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker — and nobody to get them the ball. Beyond Morris, Phoenix now has Eric Gordon, Isaiah Thomas and a few non-guaranteed summer leaguers on roster. That’s it.
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Where do you think Monte Morris has a better opportunity for playing time? Probably not where Mike Conley and Rob Dillingham are above him on the depth chart. Not if the Wolves plan on playing the Kentucky rookie like their PoBO has promised. Especially if he looks anything like some of these highlights…
Reports have Timberwolves connected to wings, not point guards
A look at who the Wolves have been linked to on the free agency market tells us more of the same. Sure, we’ve seen Tyus Jones floated to his hometown Timberwolves by a Wizards website. And at MSF, we have imagined Ricky Rubio as a veteran that would make perfect sense, if he decides to return to the NBA.
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But in the only report via a credentialed NBA reporter, Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) connected the Minnesota Timberwolves to four players — Malik Beasley, Gary Trent Jr., Lonnie Walker IV and Doug McDermott — none of which are point guards.
Again, all tangible evidence points to what Tim has been trying to tell us for weeks now. Rob Dillingham is probably the Wolves’ plan next season at backup point guard. Beyond him, there might not be any PG minutes available.
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