Rob Dillingham expected to sign contract worth four years, $28.5 million

The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired the services of former Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham after the San Antonio Spurs traded him after selecting him with No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

According to Spotrac, Dillingham will sign a four-year, $28.5 million contract with the Timberwolves. That includes a two-year, $12.7 million guarantee with two club options. He’ll earn a $6.2 million salary during his rookie season.

Dillingham was selected in the lottery out of Kentucky. During his lone season in Lexington, he averaged 15.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 44.3% from beyond the arc. For his efforts, he was rewarded with the 2024 SEC Sixth Man of the Year and an All-SEC Second Team member.

Before Kentucky, Dillingham played high school basketball at Overtime Elite, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 16 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Before being selected, however, Dillingham was simply excited to be in the position he’s in. With that mindset, Dillingham felt prepared for whatever is ahead.

“It doesn’t matter what pick I am, if I get picked 60th,” he continued. “I want to go to a team that trusts me and can help me build, and I can build with them, and make me better. I just want to help my team win, and they can develop me and teach me things.

“Anyone can be special if they put their mind toward it. Just have confidence. It’s about what you put your mind into.”

While Dillingham didn’t have to wait long to hear his name, the former Wildcat now joins a back court featuring Anthony Edwards where he’ll look to compete for an NBA Championship right away.

Edwards is the second Kentucky player to get drafted in the top 10 of the 2024 NBA Draft. Former UK teammate Reed Sheppard went No. 3 overall to the Houston Rockets. He’ll sign a four-year $49.1 million contract where he’ll look to improve the Rockets assist numbers and 3-point shooting right away.

Before the draft, On3’s James Fletcher has released an official big board for the 2024 NBA Draft, providing analysis of the top 40 players in this year’s class. He has Dillingham pegged as the No. 9 overall player in this cycle.