Minnesota's young guard seems ready to step into a more significant role with the team.
Rob Dillingham Addresses ‘Chance’ With Timberwolves for Playing Time originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a talented roster of young players looking to make their case this summer for roles with the team. They'll include this year's first-round draft pick, Joan Beringer, and multiple draft picks from last year.
Second-year guards Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. are also featured on the squad, and both appeared on the court for the Wolves' main roster last season in just over 10.5 minutes per game.
The future looks bright if these guards continue on an upward trajectory. Fans saw Shannon Jr. explode with a 25-point scoring outburst in February against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dillingham has also shown flashes of brilliance, including a 19-point, eight-assist performance against the Utah Jazz in January. Many Timberwolves fans believe he could replace aging point guard Mike Conley as the team seeks to further contend in the Western Conference.
However, many individuals want to see Dillingham receive more playing time from head coach Chris Finch this season. That could be on the way, but first, he'll get to show any improvements or glaring weaknesses in a bit of an audition with some of the team's other young players in Las Vegas.
KSTP 5 Eyewitness News' Alec Ausmus shared a clip featuring Dillingham and Shannon Jr. discussing their opportunities for the team's main roster as they prepare for the NBA 2K26 Summer League.
"I had the same mindset last year, and it's the same mindset this year. You can't really look at it like that because it might not go your way. So, I've been working hard, and I feel like obviously I do deserve, or not deserve, but I do feel like a chance is coming. It's up to me to make the most of it," Dillingham told reporters.
Wolves second year players Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. are both embracing Summer League starting up.
— Alec Ausmus (@A_TwiceKSTP) July 6, 2025
Both told me they know they have opportunities on the table this coming season the way the current roster sits.@KSTPSportspic.twitter.com/UPZTRBHfcP
Shannon Jr., who was Minnesota's No. 27 pick last year, said he's "working as hard" as he can to continue to prove himself to the coaching staff and has thought about an opportunity possibly being on the line.
The Timberwolves’ front office believed in Dillingham enough to trade for him at last year’s NBA Draft, making a deal with the San Antonio Spurs for their No. 8 pick. In his first season with Minnesota, he averaged 4.5 points, two assists, and a rebound per game. He also averaged 10.5 minutes of playing time per game.
With more time on the court, many fans believe he’ll emerge as a necessary piece of the Wolves' puzzle. Some feel that 37-year-old guard Mike Conley Jr. simply won’t provide the solution to pushing past younger, more talented teams in the West, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it's time for a change.
Dillingham and Shannon Jr. will participate in the upcoming Summer League games in Las Vegas, beginning on Thursday, July 10.
Related: Timberwolves fans react to NBA 2K26 Summer League roster missing key player
Related: Damian Lillard Joining Timberwolves After Bucks Release Would Be a Problem
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
