The San Antonio Spurs are sending Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, the No. 8 pick in this year’s NBA draft, to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Spurs added to their future stockpile of draft picks by acquiring an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 blue-chip protected pick trade from the Timberwolves, sources said Wednesday.
Minnesota adds another backcourt option to the team as Anthony Edwards continues his rise and last year’s starting point guard, Mike Conley, 36, nears the end of his career after completing his 17th NBA season.
Dillingham joined his Kentucky backcourt partner, Reed Sheppard, as a top-eight pick, marking the fourth time Kentucky has had multiple freshmen picked in the top 10, breaking a tie with Duke for the most by any school.
Dillingham was a 2023-24 All-SEC selection and the SEC Sixth Man of the Year last season. He averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists while shooting 44.4% from 3-point range.
The Timberwolves went 56-26 last season, which was the second-best record in franchise history. They reached the conference finals for just the second time and the team rewarded coach Chris Finch with a four-year extension earlier in the week.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Minnesota’s luxury tax bill increases from $56 million to $84 million with the addition of Dillingham’s salary.
Due to the Rudy Gobert trade, the team only had two first-round picks available to trade this offseason: the No. 27 pick in that draft and the 2031 pick that went to San Antonio. Minnesota still owns its 2026 and 2028 picks as well as a partially protected 2030 pick, but has been unable to trade picks in consecutive years due to league rules.
San Antonio also has trade rights with Dallas in the 2030 draft and can choose between Minnesota or Dallas’ more favorable picks.
The eighth pick was supposed to be San Antonio’s second selection of the night. With the No. 4 pick, the Spurs selected UConn guard Stephon Castle. San Antonio still owns the Nos. 35 and 48 picks in the second round.
News Source : www.espn.com
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