It was clear that Rob Dillingham was never going to properly develop with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 6-foot-2 guard was averaging just 3.5 points on 33.3 percent shooting and fell out of Minnesota's rotation this season. Undoubtedly, moving on from him at the trade deadline was the right move, and Ayo Dosunmu has quickly proven to be a perfect fit with the Wolves.
However, just three games into his Chicago Bulls tenure, Dillingham looks like a different player, averaging 11 points, 4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. It's hard not to be happy for Dillingham -- he's found a perfect spot to develop, and it's awesome to see him playing a meaningful role. Yes, I suppose a cynical person could point out that the Wolves made a mistake by trading up for him on draft night and wonder if Minnesota could have developed him better.
My perspective is that Dillingham was never going to develop with the Wolves -- there's just not enough minutes they can commit to a player who is so young and raw. Yes, even though his production has improved with the Bulls, Dillingham is still a relatively raw young player. As for the mistake of trading a first-round pick and a pick swap to draft him, yeah, that stings. But listen, sometimes you have to charge it to the game.
In the end, the Wolves still got a fantastic role player in Dosunmu -- that's a win, right?
Dillingham is showcasing his upside with the Bulls
Dillingham's confidence seemingly dissipated with the Wolves, especially this season. The Kentucky product came into the league as a high-energy microwave scorer, but amid an inconsistent role, he started to look timid. Given this, it was hard to justify playing him real minutes, and it was time for a change of scenery.
Now, you could blame Chris Finch for his development of Dillingham. But let's be honest, the Wolves are focused on winning a championship, and Dillingham wasn't helping -- Bones Hyland proved to be more aligned with the team's goals.
Regardless, it's nice to see that Dillingham has regained his confidence in Chicago. During his third game with the Bulls, Dillingham recorded 30 minutes, 16 points, and seven assists, all season highs. He was attacking the rim with confidence and spraying it around the court as a playmaker. This skill set is what made Dillingham the No. 8 pick in the first place, and it's nice to see him showing flashes of brilliance even if he's no longer on the Wolves.
Of course, Dillingham still has some growing pains, but during his short time with the Bulls, we've been able to see a lot more of the positive sides of his game.
I don't think Dillingham will blossom into a star -- but I think he has the potential to become an amazing sixth man. Again, it didn't work out in Minnesota for Dillingham, and that stings to some extent. Nevertheless, it's hard for me not to be happy that Dillingham is quickly finding his groove with the Bulls.