2024 NBA draft: Analysts grade the Minnesota Timberwolves’ addition of Rob Dillingham

Former Kentucky basketball star Rob Dillingham was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft on Wednesday night, but soon after he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Here’s how NBA analysts graded the move.

A — Danny Chou, The Ringer: “By the end of Minnesota’s postseason run to the Western Conference finals, the team’s need for a point guard who could give reserve units a jolt was clear. Trading up into the lottery was an audacious choice for the Timberwolves, but it’s easy to see the vision. ... Dillingham is a pure hooper oasis. No player in this draft can match Dillingham’s combination of deep shooting range and creative ballhandling ability... Dillingham’s size will always be a hindrance on defense, but luckily he’s joining the best defense in the NBA.“

A — Ricky O’Donnell, SBNation: “Dillingham is one of the most electric offensive players in the draft. ... Dillingham is just extremely tiny, with his 164-pound frame making him the lightest player in the NBA next season. It would have been so much fun to see Dillingham play with Victor Wembanyama, but this pick is reportedly going to the Timberwolves. Dillingham’s shot creation and shooting is a nice fit for the NBA’s No. 1 defense.”

B+ — Kyle Irving, The Sporting News: “Minnesota struggled to find backcourt contributors beyond Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker last season. ... He will provide instant offense for a win-now team looking to return to the Western Conference Finals and beyond next season.”

B+ — Kevin Sweeney, Sports Illustrated: “The Timberwolves moving up the board for Dillingham certainly classifies as a surprise. Fresh off a trip to the Western Conference finals, Minnesota adds the most electric scorer in this draft class. Dillingham’s slight frame has created concerns about how he’ll finish at the rim and defend at the next level, but you can’t deny his shot-making instincts.”

B — Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report: “The Timberwolves crashed into the top 10 to add Rob Dillingham. This could be a stroke of genius. They have a short-term need for shooting and shot-creation off the bench and a long-term need for a post-Mike Conley plan at point guard. Dillingham can check both boxes.”

B — Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports: “This is a really high-risk, high-reward pick for Minnesota, which traded for the pick during the draft from the Spurs. Dillingham is a dynamic offensive talent but comes with questions, particularly about his size and defense. He was rated in the bottom 1% for most of the season as a defender — until he fell to the 0% by the end of it. The things he can do with a basketball cannot be taught, but he needs to get his body to an NBA level.“

B — Ayrton Ostly, USA Today: “Dillingham lands with one of the best defensive teams in the league, reducing concerns on that end. His dynamic shooting should help Minnesota, who ranked 23rd in the league in three-point attempts per game last season.”