Rob Dillingham can show off one key skill in Summer League debut

Minnesota Timberwolves new draftee Rob Dillingham is scheduled to make his highly-anticipated NBA Summer League debut on Friday night. It will be a chance for him to put his dynamic potential on full display in Las Vegas.

Dillingham possesses a flashy play style that is highlighted by elite ball handling skills and impressive scoring ability. That skillset could eventually lead to him making an immediate impact off the Timberwolves bench in his rookie campaign.

In order for the Timberwolves to continue contending for their first NBA Finals appearance next season, it will be important for the bench to produce on a more consistent basis. Thankfully, Dillingham can help make that happen.

Dillingham can remind Timberwolves why they drafted him

During his freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats, Dillingham racked up 15.2 points and 3.9 assists per game on 44.4 percent shooting from three-point range en route to taking home 2024 SEC Sixth Man of the Year honors. His terrific performance made him stand out to several NBA teams and their scouts.

The Timberwolves were clearly intrigued by the former Kentucky standout. Tim Connelly and the front office's decision to trade two future draft picks to move up and select Dillingham with the 8th overall pick last month was clear evidence that they had their eye on him.

It remains to be seen if Dillingham will be able to crack the rotation during his rookie year, but the Timberwolves need more on-ball shot creators alongside Anthony Edwards. So with that need in mind, he should have a chance to play right away.

That is the key skill Dillingham will look to showcase when Summer League tips off. One of the best pure scorers in the 2024 draft class, Rob will have a chance to show everyone why he was getting top-five consideration in the pre-draft process.

Timberwolves rookie tandem headline NBA Summer League roster

Dillingham will be joined by several notable players on the Summer League roster, including fellow 2024 first-round selection Terrence Shannon Junior. Other current Timberwolves teammates Jaylen Clark, Leonard Miller and Josh Minott will be suiting up alongside him as well.

Minnesota opens Summer League play against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday evening, followed by facing the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers. They'll wrap up the summer slate against the Houston Rockets on July 18.

The annual Summer League is always a golden opportunity for rookies and young players to make a positive impression against their peers, and Dillingham has all the tools to find success throughout this summer and beyond.