NBA insider reveals Rob Dillingham's biggest deficiencies, NBA comps ahead of 2024 Draft

Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham is one of the most fascinating prospects ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday. One of the most electric scorers in this year’s draft class who has a knack for creating separation with crafty dribble moves and getting the ball in the basket.

But Dillingham’s scoring ability comes with a trade-off with his size, measuring at 6-foot-1 and weighing 164 pounds at this year’s NBA Combine with deficiencies at the defensive end of the floor. As NBA insider J. Kyle Mann recently joined Kevin O’Connor on The Bill Simmons Podcast and spoke about his game.

“Rob Dillingham is unequivocally really the most talented advantage creator in the draft. He’s probably the most talented just pure shot creator in the draft. He’s the most talented handler, he gets into the basket,” Mann said.

“And the big difference between him and Reed is Reed doesn’t get really low and wide with his dribble,” Mann added comparing Dillingham to former teammate Reed Sheppard. “Rob is very low and wide with his dribble, you mentioned Jamal Crawford. To me the thing is like, if we know those things are true, what’s stopping us? What stopped Malik Monk from being a primary option on an NBA team? What stopped Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford like those guys?”

The sixth-man is coveted in the NBA, with Dillingham drawing some comparisons to some of the best to serve in the role in recent league history. But none of those players are necessarily known for their defensive prowess, including Dillingham who only started one game in his lone season with the Wildcats.

“I think the worry with him is the defense. Similar, he’s very small, he’s very skinny. I think he weighed 170 pounds. He would just kind of come and go, he could be a little flighty at times and commit really timely, bad fouls. He was horrible about that,” Mann explained. “I was told that was one of the big reasons they didn’t keep him in the starting lineup as much, he just could be a little bit erratic.”

Dillingham is regarded by many as a top 10 pick and prospect in this year’s draft, which some may believe is a steep selection for a player who may be coming off of the bench in his career. But Simmons thinks his potential to be an offensive difference-maker as a microwave player that can heat up in a hurry can be valuable to many teams in the league.

“Just goes by anybody whenever he wants, finishes around the rim, you know, Kyrie’s the best at this, but there’s definitely some Kyrie [Irving] stuff with both hands. Has this crazy, fun jump shot where he just kicks his right foot out for no reason and it’s kind of his trademark, and I do feel like I could just see him becoming a thing and then people imitating it,” Simmons said.

“To me the worst case scenario he’s — Malik Monk has more size than him, and not that he’s a great defender either, but at least he’s taller. So this this kid, worst case scenario, is probably a sixth man,” Simmons said. “But seems like an instant offense guy, and if it’s in this draft where it’s like alright, I’m the Spurs. I’m picking eighth and I can get this guy who just comes into games and swings games for six minutes of a quarter. That sounds fantastic in a draft like this.”

Mann compared Dillingham to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland but a better athlete who’s shown the ability to finish physically around the rim and even windmill dunk in his career. Tabbing Dillingham as a ‘first ballot YouTube Hall of Fame prospect’ who could definitely add some energy to whichever team selects him on Wednesday.