Rob Dillingham Contract: How Much Will Timberwolves Rookie Earn in NBA After $1 Million NIL Gains?

Gone are the days when young athletes used to wait for a call from the NBA to earn their first paycheck. With the boom of social media and the NIL policy coming into effect three years ago, many college stars are already millionaires before they even step foot on an NBA court. One such young player in this year’s draft was Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham. Initially drafted by the Spurs at spot #8 on Wednesday, the 19YO was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves while he was still celebrating on the stage. But he is still set to make millions on top of his impressive NIL earnings.

Ranked 22 in a list of hundred college athletes enjoying the perks of NIL, Dillingham has already made upward of $1.1 million at Kentucky. What’s even more impressive is that he was ranked fourth among all college basketball players. While being a millionaire at nineteen is a massive achievement in itself, it doesn’t compare to the money he is going to make playing for the Timberwolves.

As per the new CBA’s rookie wage scale, Dillingham will reportedly bag a four-year $28.5 million contract with Glen Taylor’s franchise because he was drafted at the eighth spot. Out of those four years, the first two will be guaranteed and the remaining will hold club options, while Rob is expected to make nearly $6.2 million in his first NBA season. With that, he will also be eligible to sign an extension after the completion of his third season.

On top of it, the Wolves also gave up a 2030 pick swap and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick to acquire him from the Spurs. But the former Wildcat might be worth every penny because of the potential he has to solve Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez’s problems.

Timberwolves ownership already making room for Rob Dillingham’s contract

While the Rob Dillingham trade by Lore and A-Rod might look like a panic move from a distance, it seems to be a well-thought-out strategy. With his pure scoring ability and elite shooting, the Wolves have likely solved their issues of finding a replacement for an aging Mike Conley, who will turn 37 next season. During his lone season as a Wildcat, Rob averaged 15.2 points while shooting 44.4% from deep range, even though he was not a starter. So, you can imagine what he might be able to do in the starting lineup with Ant-Man and KAT as his teammates.

Moreover, to fit Rob’s sizable rookie contract while also trying to stay away from paying the luxury tax, the Wolves traded Wendell Moore Jr. and their 37 pick in the second round yesterday to Detroit in exchange for the number 53 pick. Getting rid of Moore’s $2.5 million contract for next season, A-Rod and the crew could save millions in luxury tax whether they choose to sign a player on a veteran minimum contract ($2.1 million) or cut the cost even more by signing the 53 pick to a rookie minimum deal ($1.1 million).

In both cases, it’s a win-win situation for both Rob Dillingham and the Timberwolves, as Rob gets his guaranteed money while the Wolves get a future star to add to their core, all while sticking to Lore and Rodriguez’s cutting-cost plan.

Before you go, do not forget to check out what Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the alleged Shaq and Kobe Lakers beef. Keep checking this space for more such updates.