The Minnesota Timberwolves have one of the brightest futures in the entire NBA, with a young and exciting core of players led by Anthony Edwards, who was considered the best shooting guard in the league last season. The Timberwolves were very aggressive in this year's draft, trading up to the 8th pick without giving up any key players.
Let’s take a closer look at each selection and the draft overview.
The Timberwolves traded up in the top 10 to acquire Kentucky native Rob Dillingham. The 6'2″ point guard is arguably the best pure shot creator and shot maker in the entire draft. He plays with boundless confidence and has the natural talent to score as he can score at all three levels. Dillingham's pull-up jump shot is top-notch as he has great range and he's also a tough mid-range scorer.
His excellent spot-up shooting ability allows him to easily match up with other stars. He is able to make the shots he catches thanks to his excellent shot preparation, quick shot release and excellent shooting ability. Kentucky star Dillingham is not just a scorer, he is also a very good playmaker and plays with great flair.
His scoring ability opens up the court for his teammates, and his great court vision helps him to be one of the top playmakers in the draft. His excellent handles, combined with his quickness, allow him to easily create space from defenders. On the downside, he is limited as a defender and will likely be a negative defender in the NBA.
The Timberwolves further bolstered their offense with their other first-round pick, selecting Illinois forward Terrence Shannon Jr. The 6-foot-7 wing was one of the most explosive players in college basketball last season.
The slick left-hander had the speed and athleticism to be a force to be reckoned with in the open court, and he became one of the leading scorers in the nation, scoring over 20 points per game.
Shannon improved as a shooter each year of his time in college, opening up the playing field for his teammates. At the next level, he has the tools to be a versatile perimeter defender while also being a microwave scorer off the bench. The main issue for Shannon is his limited handling, which means he struggles to create space off the dribble without a linear drive.
The Timberwolves arguably had the best selection of any team in this year's draft. They got Dillingham, an elite point guard with the potential to become an elite star. This talented lead guard will be playing behind one of the best veterans in the NBA, Mike Conley, which will be a big boost for Dillingham's career.
There is no better fit for Dillingham in the NBA. Shannon is a three-level scorer who can also display a high level of athleticism, making him a valuable addition to the team's rotation in the future. The Timberwolves have added some young talent to their already established roster, and Minnesota fans should be excited about the future.
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