Minnesota Timberwolves made a clear statement when they traded up in the 2024 NBA Draft to select Rob Dillingham.
This is our point guard of the future.
With veteran Mike Conley turning 37 in October, it made sense that the front office would be creative about finding a player to replace that role long-term. It’s also unlikely that any minimum contract player would be as good as Dillingham projects to be.
However, the Wolves aren’t just looking to win in the long term. They’re looking to win now. Dillingham joins a team that just reached the Western Conference Finals and has an array of experienced and battle-tested playoff players. At age 19, it’s a big ask for him to contribute in positive, meaningful ways from the first game. And yet, that’s what they will expect of him.
Dillingham arrives as the de facto replacement for point guards Jordan McLaughlin and Monte Morris, who have moved to the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, respectively. Toward the end of the regular season, Finch would often play two of Conley, McLaughlin, and Morris together in dual point guard lineups on the court. The Wolves have also lost Kyle Anderson, who played most effectively as a point forward but could be a lead ball handler.
Do the Wolves need to consider adding a point guard to their roster with their final open spot? They now only have Conley and Dillingham who can play the role, with no other true point guards aside from Daishen Nix, who is only on a two-way contract and will spend much of the regular season with the Iowa Wolves.
So, what else do the Wolves have to use? Finch likes to play multiple players who can initiate offense. Aside from Conley and Dillingham, the options will likely be Anthony Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and free-agent signing Joe Ingles.
Ingles is the Kyle Anderson replacement on the roster and a budget one at that. Ingles turns 37 in October and is primarily a three-point shooter, having shot 43.5% from three last season for the Orlando Magic. However, he was also a competent floor general for Orlando last season. He can give Minnesota a budget version of what Anderson offered but with more effective three-point scoring.
He also has experience playing with Rudy Gobert, which means Ingles can complement Gobert’s unique style of play. Playing as the ball handler in the pick-and-roll with Gobert will add an additional dimension to Minnesota’s offense. Only Conley has been particularly effective handling the ball in a Gobert pick-and-roll.
Ingles had a 13.2 turnover ratio last season, which is high. However, the Orlando Magic had serious issues with a lack of switching, which should be less of a problem in Minnesota next year.
While Ingles is one option as a player who can help initiate the offense, Alexander-Walker is another. Alexander-Walker is more of a defense-oriented wing than a point guard. He struggled at times to bring the ball up the court in the playoffs, but Alexander-Walker is also a capable on-ball in the offense, not just as a catch-and-shoot threat.
Given Alexander-Walker’s growth since arriving in the D’Angelo Russell trade, it would not be unrealistic to consider there is still room to grow. With Conley there to provide veteran guidance at the position and fewer ball-handlers available on the roster this coming season, Alexander-Walker might have a bigger role to play in initiating offense.
The third option, and possibly the simplest, is to let Edwards play point guard more often. Given that Conley, Dillingham, Alexander-Walker, and Ingles can all play off-ball, it’s logical that Edwards could take that extra step. He has shown flashes of being a strong playmaker, particularly when Conley missed time with injury in the 2023-24 season. Alexander-Walker slotted into the shooting guard role while Edwards played point.
Edwards has another chance to grow as a playmaker with Team USA. Given the stars surrounding him, he should also be a playmaker for others while scoring. Edwards only had two assists in the recent 103-96 victory over South Sudan. However, both assists were smart finds to Bam Adebayo, suggesting that Edwards has continued growth as a passer. Given his incredible rise in every other element of his game, there’s no reason to think this couldn’t improve, either.
Another important factor is that the current point guard market lacks inspiring options. Tyus Jones was far and away the best option until recently. However, he signed the equivalent of a veteran’s minimum in Phoenix. The remaining players are either well past their prime or unlikely to receive minutes in any Wolves rotation.
Markelle Fultz is probably the best remaining player in the position, but he’s unlikely to accept a role as the 10th man. At the same time, other players like Dennis Smith Jr., Patty Mills, or Patrick Beverley could sign to fill out the end of the bench. However, they are doubtful to have much impact on the season, if any. Plus, there is the question of whether a third point guard might hamper Dillingham’s much-needed development throughout the season.
While a cheap option might fill out the bench and play emergency minutes, it seems unlikely that the Wolves will sign any additional point guards in the short term. However, Tim Connelly is known for being aggressive at the trade deadline. If issues appear before February, expect Connelly to be creative about finding a solution similar to the Monte Morris trade last year.
