Moves for Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. get high praise

With few choices for enhancing their roster on the free agent market, the Timberwolves made a splash within the first spherical of the NBA Draft on Wednesday evening, buying and selling away a 2031 unprotected first spherical decide and a protected 2030 decide swap to the Spurs to accumulate level guard Rob Dillingham.

Later they added Illinois guard and extremely environment friendly scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. with the No. 27 decide total. In what is perhaps a change for Wolves followers used to nationwide media befuddlement at draft day selections — Tim Connelly’s strikes elicited close to common reward. Here is a sampling of the evaluation.

ESPN.com

Jonathan Givony rated the Wolves commerce for Dillingham as among the finest strikes of the evening:

“The Timberwolves made probably the most aggressive transfer of Spherical 1 by buying and selling into the No. 8 spot to draft Dillingham. With starter Mike Conley turning 37 years previous, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly knew he wanted to be aggressive find the veteran level guard’s successor. With Dillingham, Connelly has his personal model of Kyrie Irving, who knocked the Timberwolves out of the playoffs within the Western Convention finals.

Dillingham is lightning in a bottle, rating not solely as among the finest scorers on this draft class already as a freshman, but in addition as an underrated passer who brings actual creativity passing off a stay dribble, a talent that he can proceed to hone as his professional profession strikes ahead. The actual fact he confirmed he can play off the ball, making 44% of his 3-pointers this season, will assist him function alongside a budding famous person in Anthony Edwards.

His greatest weak point, his protection, might be negated to an extent with NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months Rudy Gobert behind him.”

In the identical story, reporter Kevin Pelton mentioned the Wolves’ transfer was the most effective by a possible title contender heading into subsequent season.

“We’ll see how effectively giving up a swap in 2030 and an unprotected decide in 2031 will work out for the Timberwolves, however unquestionably Rob Dillingham is probably the most gifted participant any title contender added on draft evening, and I feel he may also help them off the bench as a rookie.

The Ringer

Kevin O’Connor was effusive in his reward for Connelly and the Wolves.

“After shedding to the Dallas Mavericks, the Timberwolves knew they badly wanted so as to add extra shot creation earlier than subsequent season, and Dillingham is the most effective shot creator in the complete class. He is a shifty presence and is able to firing jumpers from anyplace. Anthony Edwards alone turned a must-watch participant through the playoffs. Pair him with Dillingham, and so they might be completely electrical. The Kentucky guard is not only a bucket getter. As a freshman, he started growing his playmaking, one thing that did not occur earlier than, when he was with Time beyond regulation Elite or Donda Academy. And what’s Dillingham finest at as a passer? Throwing lobs. That is excellent news for Rudy Gobert.

“Oh, by the way in which: The Wolves additionally used the no. 27 decide on Terrence Shannon Jr., who averaged 23 factors at Illinois this previous season and is a relentless downhill attacker. Shannon will present extra creation off Minnesota’s bench, and along with his toned 220-pound body and 6-foot-9 wingspan, he is displayed flashes of super-versatile protection. There’s an opportunity that each will instantly be plugged into the Wolves’ rotation.”

Yahoo Sports activities

Dillingham (B): Dillingham is without doubt one of the finest guards with the ball in his arms and may get downhill and put stress on the rim. There isn’t any doubt that he’ll be electrical in Minnesota, however his measurement at 6-foot-2, 164 kilos, is regarding for a lead guard within the NBA.

Shannon Jr. (A): Shannon is a three-level scorer who has improved his 3-point shot over the course of his faculty profession, ending his senior season at Illinois capturing 36.2% from deep. He is an older, skilled guard at 23 who can are available in straight away and contribute for Minnesota.”

Sports activities Illustrated

Dillingham (B): The Timberwolves stunned everybody in buying and selling as much as No. 8 to nab Dillingham, who is perhaps the most effective offensive participant within the draft. For a similar causes Dillingham would’ve labored with Wembanyama, he’ll possible see success in Minnesota. Nevertheless it’s a barely bizarre match for a crew eager to win as early as subsequent season.

Shannon (B+): Shannon Jr. was one of many oldest gamers within the draft, however provides the Wolves a go-to choice in 12 months 1.

CBS Sports activities

Dillingham (B): It is a actually high-risk, high-reward decide for Minnesota, which traded for the decide through the draft from the Spurs. Dillingham is a dynamic offensive expertise however comes with questions, notably about his measurement and protection. He was rated within the backside 1% for many of the season as a defender — till he fell to the 0% by the top of it. The issues he can do with a basketball can’t be taught, however he must get his physique to an NBA stage. Nevertheless it’s price noting that he makes numerous sense as a secondary creator subsequent to Anthony Edwards, one of many true rising stars of the league.

Shannon Jr. (B+): He was among the finest gamers in faculty basketball final 12 months however might want to adapt to an enormous change in position in spite of everything his freedom. However the offensive burst he brings to the desk is actual, and he’s an NBA participant proper now. The shot might want to maintain up, however the expertise is there and so is the polish.

Fox Sports activities:

Cumulative grade (A+): Tim Connelly is at it once more, reeling in a pair of splash guards to assist Anthony Edwards on the perimeter. To commerce with San Antonio for the eighth decide and solely quit a 2031 unprotected first-round decide and a top-1 protected 2030 decide swap is a pleasant transfer. Who is aware of what these picks will likely be price in six years? The transfer puzzled me with the Spurs. Dillingham shot 44% from 3-point vary and was a blur in transition with a wide range of offensive expertise in his lone 12 months at Kentucky underneath John Calipari, averaging over 15 factors per sport. Shannon, who was discovered not responsible of rape final week and was introduced into a very brutal state of affairs that unfairly damage his repute, landed with Minnesota on the finish of the primary spherical, which was a steal as a result of he was nearly as good as any guard in faculty basketball this previous 12 months, averaging 23 factors per sport.