The Minnesota Timberwolves are relying on a maligned source for improvement after losing in the Western Conference Finals for a second consecutive season: The 2024 NBA Draft. Regarded by many as a star-less event that ranks among the weakest classes in recent history, Minnesota is depending on that reputation proving false.
Thankfully, the two players whom the Timberwolves need to rewrite the narrative are uniquely equipped to do so: Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr.
Minnesota selected Dillingham at No. 8 overall and Shannon at No. 27 during the 2024 NBA Draft. Both selections represented an awareness of the need to improve the depth along the perimeter, with two drastic expected changes seemingly influencing the picks.
With Dillingham, it was a simple matter of the doing the math on Mike Conley's athletic mortality as a 37-year-old point guard who has played 18 NBA seasons.
Selecting Shannon was a bit more complex, as he wasn't the only wing the Timberwolves added in 2024. The franchise also brought in Donte DiVincenzo, who projects to play an even bigger role in 2025-26 than he did during his first season with the team.
With the long-anticipated departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker now official, however, the selection of Shannon has reached the point of needing an immediate return on the investment.
Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. will decide Timberwolves' fate
Conley continues to perform at a high level, but his minutes have been decreased in accordance with the limitations that aging at a high-intensity position inevitably place upon him. In 2024-25, he averaged 24.7 minutes per game during the regular season and 23.7 in the playoffs.
Minnesota is more comfortable than the average team with playing without a true point guard on the court, but losing Alexander-Walker could facilitate a greater change than anticipated.
Alexander-Walker, Conley, DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, and Julius Randle spread the facilitating wealth in 2024-25. Removing Alexander-Walker and not knowing what to expect from Conley changes the dynamic, however, and calls on a new player to step into a playmaking role.
Dillingham proved to have the tools to excel in that regard after averaging 6.8 assists per 36 minutes during his rookie season.
Unfortunately, Dillingham only received 10.5 minutes per game. Youth could be an explanation, as could the fact that he shot just 33.8 percent from beyond the arc on a Timberwolves team that ranked No. 5 in three-point field goal attempts per game.
The Timberwolves produced a positive net rating with Dillingham on the court, however, thus suggesting he's a reliable jump shot away from making a significant impact in 2025-26.
Timberwolves need Dillingham, Shannon to replace Alexander-Walker
While Dillingham will be tasked with excelling as a playmaker, floor-spacer, and ideally a dribble-penetrator, Shannon will need to excel as an all-around scorer. In 2024-25, Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points and 1.7 three-point field goals made per game—numbers that translated to 13.4 and 2.4 per 36 minutes.
Compounded by the fact that Alexander-Walker shot 42.5 percent on catch-and-shoot threes and posted seven 20-point games, including two during the playoffs, there's a serious void to fill.
Thankfully, Shannon has shown early signs of being an impressive scorer in his own right. He averaged 14.7 points per 36 minutes as a rookie, shooting at a clip of .482/.355/.810 despite his limited playing time and thus a finite number of opportunities to get into a rhythm.
Shannon also had a stretch during which he posted three consecutive games with at least 17 points, including a 25-point showing against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Compounded by the fact that Shannon averaged 11.7 points in just 12.3 minutes between Minnesota's final three postseason games, he's made quite the early statement. It certainly doesn't hurt that he followed those performances by dominating Summer League.
If the Timberwolves are going to overcome their losses and uncertainties, and finally reach the NBA Finals, then Shannon and Dillingham will need to prove that the 2024 NBA Draft is better than advertised.