The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to trade Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, the eighth overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for future draft assets.
In the deal, San Antonio acquires an unprotected first-round pick in 2031 and gains the option to swap first-round picks with Minnesota in 2030, provided the Timberwolves’ pick falls within the top one protected range.
Minnesota, bolstering its backcourt alongside rising star Anthony Edwards and veteran point guard Mike Conley, also receives a promising young talent in Dillingham, who joins his Kentucky teammate Reed Sheppard as a top-eight pick in this draft.
This marks the fourth time Kentucky has produced multiple freshmen selected in the top 10, a record previously shared with Duke.
Dillingham’s accolades include being named to the 2023-24 All-SEC team and earning the SEC Sixth Man of the Year award, highlighting his impact with averages of 15.2 points and 3.9 assists per game, shooting an impressive 44.4% from beyond the arc.
Last season, the Timberwolves achieved a franchise-best record of 56-26 and reached the conference finals for only the second time in their history.
The team recently extended head coach Chris Finch’s contract for four more years, underscoring their commitment to sustained success.
Rob Dillingham (Photo: James Crisp)
Bobby Marks reports that Minnesota’s luxury tax obligations will increase from $56 million to $84 million due to Dillingham’s salary inclusion.
The trade involves significant future draft considerations, including San Antonio’s ability to potentially swap picks with Dallas in the 2030 draft, choosing the more favorable selection between Minnesota or Dallas picks.
This move marks San Antonio’s second selection of the night after picking guard Stephon Castle from UConn with the fourth overall pick. The Spurs retain the 35th and 48th picks in the second round.
Spurs general manager Brian Wright, while unable to comment on the trade’s specifics until official confirmation, reiterated the team’s commitment to a sustainable team-building strategy, reflecting on past decisions and emphasizing a methodical approach to roster development.
“We want to build something that’s sustainable and you’ve got to build it brick by brick,” Wright said. “All the decisions that we’ve made to this point have been under that premise, and we’ll continue with that philosophy moving forward.”
