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[Saba Sports News] The Minnesota Timberwolves are making a significant financial bet on new guard Rob Dillingham.
In a draft-night trade with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Minnesota acquired the rights to the former Kentucky star. The Spurs had picked Dillingham at No. 8 overall but quickly traded him to the Wolves for an unprotected 2031 first-rounder and a protected 2030 pick swap.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Timberwolves’ luxury tax bill will increase by nearly $30 million, rising from $56 million to $84 million, due to the Dillingham addition.
Under the NBA rookie scale, Dillingham, as the No. 8 pick, will earn about $6 million annually over his four-year rookie contract. Though this may seem minor, the Timberwolves are already a second-apron luxury tax team with over $190 million in salary committed for the 2024-25 season, the second-highest in the NBA after the Phoenix Suns.
This acquisition places Minnesota in a unique position, as teams with such high tax bills rarely add top-ten lottery picks. Dillingham, a dynamic 19-year-old scorer and playmaker, appears to be a smart addition, especially with current starting point guard Mike Conley turning 37 later this year. However, Dillingham’s arrival means the Wolves must manage their finances wisely, potentially leading to roster changes.