Tim Connelly explains how Timberwolves will use Rob Dillingham

Ever since the last week of June, Minnesota Timberwolves fans have been brimming with excitement to see Rob Dillingham take the floor next season. The supremely-talented young guard was a highly-coveted prospect, and was projected by many to be picked in the top five of the draft.

That made it that much more of a surprise when Minnesota was able to trade up and acquire Rob with the eighth pick. It is not often a top-three seed in the playoffs is able to get one of the most sought-after players in the draft, but the Timberwolves pulled it off.

Since then, there has been understandable excitement about how Dillingham can help this team, especially given how it was shared by management that he would be part of the team's rotation from day one. Recently, President Tim Connelly provided more insight into what exactly that will look like.

Connelly: Dillingham will have to earn his minutes

Appearing on KFAN, Minnesota's sports radio station, Connelly spoke specifically about Rob and how the team would plan to use him. He confirmed that while Rob is expected to join the main rotation, he will not have minutes handed out for free, and they will be earned like everyone else.

Tim also acknowledged the cost-benefit analysis the Timberwolves have made in regards to determining the overall impact of a rookie on a team with championship aspirations. He remarked that Dillingham joining a team such as this will be both a blessing and a curse. "If he misses a defensive assignment, it's going to hurt, and it's going to matter," Connelly said. "Learn on the bench."

This is of course what was already in the back of the heads of plenty across the fanbase. Obviously Dillingham is a tremendous individual talent, and he will have the potential to provide a spark to this team. But his progression may not be perfectly linear given the state of this team.

That is not a reason to worry. But it should set the proper expectations so that highs and lows are taken in stride, and expectations remain realistic.