This Timberwolves Guard Is Growing Into A Respected Leader In NBA Summer League

Minnesota fans were perplexed when they did not see Dillingham play regular minutes in his rookie campaign during the 2024-25 season. He was an extremely talented prospect during his year with the Kentucky Wildcats, but he did not receive many opportunities under Chris Finch.

Dillingham only logged 516 total minutes for the Timberwolves in the regular season. That should not happen again, especially for a player picked eighth overall. Thankfully, opportunities have opened up and Dillingham is a likely long-term contributor.

Dillingham Is Already Showing Great Signs For Year Two

As the headliner of the Timberwolves' four returning players for the 2025 Summer League squad, Dillingham has shown a willingness to take charge of the team. 

He wants to be known as the leader, and he is delivering on that with his performances during the practices. Rookies Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky have raved about him, which is huge praise coming from the bigs who regularly work with him in the pick-and-roll.

"He's just elite, his pick-and-roll. It's tough to guard. I've not been on his team yet. Guarding him on the pick-and-roll, it's tough," Zikarsky said after practice. "He’s the leader of the group. He’s going to have a great summer league and watching him play no, it just looks easy for him."

With that kind of praise from his teammates, it's hard to see Dillingham not having a good performance in Las Vegas. He has all the tools to stand out due to his ability to have an explosive scoring game, but he has also shown a willingness to become the lead playmaker.

Dillingham Has The Potential To Be Minnesota's Best Point Guard

When the Timberwolves traded up for Dillingham, some people felt the team would give him heavy minutes. That was not the case, as Dillingham was mostly a bench player who got his minutes during garbage time. 

That was an okay development for Dillingham, considering he was only 19 for the majority of his rookie year. He was still learning well from his mentors, veteran guard Mike Conley Jr., and assistant coach Pablo Prigioni, another veteran guard in his heyday. 

Despite all the lost minutes he could have played, Dillingham is making the most out of every opportunity. That could be with the Timberwolves or the Iowa Wolves in the G League. The same goes for the current Summer League, where he could be the team's best player. 

If he continues to have this attitude towards working hard, Dillingham could climb the ladder and become the starting point guard alongside Anthony Edwards in the backcourt for the foreseeable future.