The Minnesota Timberwolves' biggest problem is the point guard position, and Rob Dillingham may be the only one who can save them. The Kentucky product was glued to the bench as a rookie, and he hasn't played much yet in year two. Chris Finch needs to unlock the former number eight pick, though, both for the youngster's development and because the Timberwolves need what Dillingham has to offer.
The Timberwolves are 4-3. Julius Randle is playing better than anybody would have expected with Anthony Edwards sidelined. However, there was a known weakness coming into the season, and that was the point guard position. Minnesota's lack of star power and depth at the lead guard spot has only been exacerbated through seven games.
Mike Conley is a shell of his former self, which is exemplified by his scoring average of 6.6 points per game. Conley is only starting because Edwards is currently out with a hamstring issue. Many thought Dillingham would be given minutes right away, but that hasn't been the case.
Rob Dillingham needs to be a rotation fixture
Dillingham has played in five of the Timberwolves' seven matchups (he missed one game with injury), and he is seeing just 13 minutes of action per game. The team has oftentimes instead relied on Bones Hyland as a scoring-minded point guard off the bench. Hyland and Dillingham are similar players, as they are both uber-skinny and undersized guards who can really get going when it comes to scoring the basketball.
If Finch is willing to play Hyland, he should be willing to play Dillingham, and any potential minutes that could go to the former player should go to the latter. If Dillingham doesn't develop, the Timberwolves' season may be doomed.
It looks like Edwards will be returning from his hamstring injury soon. While Dillingham has played without him, the Wolves still need to work him into the rotation when Edwards returns.
The ex-Kentucky player was drafted in the lottery for a reason. He is shifty and has a tight handle, which allows him to get to his spots offensively. Dillingham can score from all three levels, too, despite his slender frame. Dating back to his days as a prospect, Dillingham has also long been underrated as a playmaker. The boost he can provide when it comes to getting his teammates involved would be much welcomed.
Finch has started to realize that he needs to play Dillingham. The sophomore guard played a season-high 20 minutes in Minnesota's last game, and he has seemingly surpassed Hyland on the depth chart over the last week or so. Finch should never look back, and he must ensure that Dillingham is a rotation staple going forward.