Originally tagged as someone who could immediately help Minnesota at the point guard position, the start to Dillingham’s NBA career has instead been more of a marathon than a sprint. Then, on January 3, news broke that the Timberwolves rookie would miss one to two weeks with a grade two right ankle sprain.

Minnesota Timberwolves assign Rob Dillingham to G-League for rehab assignment

Nine days later, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced that Rob Dillingham has been cleared for 5-v-5 basketball activities. Thus, he has been assigned to Iowa for a rehab assignment with the G-League Wolves.

The @Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on guard Rob Dillingham:

Dillingham has been cleared for full-contact, 5-on-5 basketball activities, and subsequently has been assigned to the @iawolves, the team’s G League Affiliate, for a rehab assignment.

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) January 12, 2025

Iowa’s next game is on January 13 (Monday) vs the Portland G-League affiliate, the Rip City Remix. It will be the first G-League game that he has participated in. In a very limited 8.5 minutes per game with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dillingham is averaging 3.7 points and 1.7 assists, in 15 NBA appearances.

Related: Timberwolves Call Up Newly Acquired Guard from Iowa Along with Fellow 2024 Draft Pick

Prior to his injury, Wolves fans and pundits have been calling for Rob — who is shooting 42.9% from deep — to get more playing time. I’d expect he will get a lot of minutes in whatever games he gets down in Iowa, and that he’ll be rather prolific on the stat sheet.

Rob Dillingham in 24 Mins vs the Rockets last night

12 PTS (5-13 FG, 2-5 3PT)
7 AST
5 REBS

Is he rookie of the year in 2 Games?? pic.twitter.com/0LjfNwlfVl

— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) November 27, 2024

Whether he plays just one game, on Monday, or if he stays in Iowa there for through Wednesday, when they match up vs the Greensboro Swarm (Hornets), Dillingham will get all of the opportunities he needs with the basketball in his hands.

Minnesota’s other 1st round pick, Terrence Shannon Jr, played two games with the Iowa Wolves late this week. He scored 47 points in the first and 33 points in the second. Dillingham’s stats should look just as stuffed. The Timberwolves next play on Monday and Wednesday, just like the Iowa Wolves do.

Iowa Wolves sign Lance Stephenson to G-League Contract

In theory, that should make the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s G-League affiliate, a good team too. But, that has not been the case through 12 G-League games. Instead, they sit near the bottom of the Central Division standings with a poultry 3-9 record.

So right away this week, the Wolves front office decided to shake things up a little bit, signing one of the all-time NBA agitators and former Minnesota Timberwolf, Lance Stephenson, to a G-League contract.

NBA 10-year veteran Lance Stephenson is joining the Minnesota Timberwolves G League affiliate, Iowa Wolves, league sources told @hoopshype. Minnesota has an open NBA roster spot. pic.twitter.com/A9SnUTp3W3

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) December 11, 2023

Stephenson hasn’t played in 3 of the last 4 NBA seasons, so many probably don’t know that he just turned 33-years-old. Back in 2016-17, Stephenson was brought in mid-season by Tom Thibodeau. He played a memorable 6 games, averaging 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game.

Lance Stephenson is one of my favorite all time “oh yeah, he played for the Wolves at one point” guys https://t.co/eEkKLZLpn7 pic.twitter.com/DBaWZxE9ai

— Wolves Report (@MNTwolvesreport) January 9, 2022

Related: Is Rudy Gobert a Legitimate NBA MVP Candidate?

Stephenson takes aim at deep Minnesota Timberwolves roster

I’d imagine trying to fix the Iowa Wolves’ locker room isn’t his final goal in the organization. That’s probably mission one of a plan that Stephenson hopes will land him on the Timberwolves NBA roster, where he can help provide veteran depth, attitude and deep-run playoff experience.

We’ll see if Lance has anything left in the tank but I don’t really see a downsign to this signing, from a Minnesota Timberwolves standpoint.