Timberwolves’ Rob Dillingham gamble will pay off come January

The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to unleash second-year point guard Rob Dillingham. This certainly is a risk, given Dillingham's size and slender frame (6-foot-1) paired with the fact that he didn't play much as a rookie. However, by the middle of the season, Minnesota's vision with Dillingham will be clear, and this decision will pay off.

Dillingham perfectly fits the Wolves' needs

Dillingham averaged just 10.5 minutes, 4.5 points, and 2 assists across 49 games as a rookie. However, he showed flashes of his upside, notching 10-plus points eight times despite only exceeding 25 minutes once.

The Wolves have a clear need for a point guard who could create shots for himself and others. Crucially, Dillingham can provide just that. With Mike Conley turning 38 before the season starts and the Wolves not having another point guard on the roster, Dillingham is primed for a big role.

Dillingham is a gifted shot creator and three-level scorer. Impressively, 64.5 percent of Dillingham's made field goals were unassisted as a rookie. With blazing speed, Dillingham can generate rim pressure, all while being able to make difficult shots from the perimeter.

This gives the Wolves a much-needed different element from Conley. Notably, Dillingham shot 52.5 percent on drives compared to Conley's 38.7 percent; his 52.5 percent was higher than anyone on the team who had at least one drive per game. At 20 years old, Dillingham will only continue to improve as a scorer.

Dillingham combines shifty handles with high-level passing chops. His elite handles are central to his impact as a scorer. Dillingham is also a versatile and underrated passer. He especially thrives as a lob passer but is also a very solid passer on drive-and-kick plays. Overall, the Wolves clearly need Dillingham's offensive skill set, and he is an ideal long-term backcourt partner for Anthony Edwards.

Giving Dillingham a bigger role is a risk the Wolves must take

While his offensive skill set is clear, defense will always be a concern for Dillingham given his size. However, he competes on defense and has shown a knack for getting steals. Additionally, the Wolves have the defensive personnel to cover up Dillingham's defensive deficiencies. This will help negate some of the problems with Dillingham's defense.

Frankly, Conley isn't a high-level defender at this stage of his career either, and most point guards around the league aren't. As a result, the Wolves can certainly play Dillingham big minutes regardless of his defensive concerns, especially when accounting for his immense offensive value.

It's reasonable to have some level of concern with Dillingham heading into the season, especially considering the Wolves' title aspirations. However, Dillingham has the exact skill set the Wolves need, and with a bigger role, he is poised to have a breakout season.

The Wolves traded up into the lottery last year to draft Dillingham. You can't have a guy like that rotting on the bench, especially given Minnesota's need for improved point guard play. Ultimately, when the season gets rolling, don't be surprised if the Wolves look like geniuses for their belief in Dillingham.