Rob Dillingham's talent already recognized by former league MVP

The Minnesota Timberwolves will look much different from last year's version of themselves when they officially take the floor for their first regular season contest against the Lakers on Tuesday night. It is Karl-Anthony Towns out, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in for the 2024 Western Conference runners-up.

Other strong contributors like Kyle Anderson are gone as well, and in his place will be savvy veterans along with a couple of highly-talented rookies. Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham each bring unique skillsets to the floor, and both are expected to play some kind of role for this team in 2024-25.

In fact, Dillingham has made such waves in his prep and college careers that he is already recognized by high-status players around the association. Not many rookies get this kind of notoriety just entering the league, but Rob is catching eyes from respected veterans already. The latest to recognize his incredible talent? Russell Westbrook.

During the Timberwolves' Thursday night preseason contest with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook pulled Dillingham to the side and talked with him for a few moments, likely sharing some words of wisdom for the young gun. When asked about that moment in a postgame interview, Rob shared what the experience was like.

Dillingham was surprised Russell Westbrook knew him

"Yeah, that was crazy," Dillingham said. "I've watched Westbrook since I was a little kid. Literally since I was in like middle school for sure. I done seen Westbrook my whole life, and it's crazy to just know that he knows who I am." There is usually a "welcome to the league" moment for every NBA rookie, where they become aware of the fact that they are really playing in the association and against all the players that they grew up watching. It feels safe to say that this might end up becoming one of those moments for Rob.

If Dillingham has been watching Russ play since he was in middle school, he could be referring to Westbrook's unforgettable 2016-17 MVP season. Rob would have been in sixth grade that year, and it is a season that is still burned into the memories of countless NBA fans for this reason.

A moment like this for Dillingham serves to underscore just what kind of talent the Timberwolves have on their hands. There are a lot of skillful rookies out there, but being known by some of the biggest faces in the league right from the jump has to be an extra confidence booster.