In the heart of Nashville on March 15, Kentucky Wildcats’ guard Rob Dillingham showcased his talents against the Texas A&M Aggies in the SEC Basketball Tournament quarterfinals. But the real buzz surrounding Dillingham isn’t about his past games; it’s about his future ambitions. The word on the street is that Dillingham is “openly campaigning” to join the San Antonio Spurs in the upcoming NBA draft, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. He’s even aiming to be known as “Wembanyama’s New Wingman,” expressing a clear desire to play alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Victor Wembanyama’s New Wingman? The Dillingham Dilemma
Dillingham’s outspoken desire to be a Spur has raised eyebrows. “While some around the league don’t view Dillingham as a ‘Spursy’ type of pick based on their drafting track record, he has been openly campaigning to be picked by San Antonio,” Givony wrote. At the NBA draft combine in Chicago, Dillingham was clear about his intentions: “He could be one of the best players ever. If I’m playing with Wemby, it’s obvious — I am coming in to give Wemby the ball.” He’s referring to Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ potential cornerstone, seen by many as a future legend.
This enthusiastic lobbying by Dillingham might sound audacious, but his logic is crystal clear. Pairing up with a potential all-time great like Wembanyama could elevate any player’s career. Yet, the million-dollar question is: Do the Spurs share this enthusiasm?
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has Dillingham pegged to go 11th overall to the Chicago Bulls in his latest mock draft. The Spurs, holding the 4th and 8th picks, are speculated to favor other talents like G League Ignite’s Matas Buzelis and Providence’s Devin Carter for those slots.
Wasserman draws a comparison between the 6’1″, 164-pound Dillingham and former Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams. However, Wasserman also hints at a potential slide for Dillingham in the draft. “Though Rob Dillingham has yet to work out for teams, he’s starting to sound like a candidate who could slide,” he noted, suggesting that teams like the Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs might pass on him in favor of bigger prospects.
Despite these speculations, it’s hard to imagine Dillingham slipping out of the lottery entirely. His lone season at Kentucky was nothing short of impressive, boasting averages of 15.2 points, 3.9 assists, and a stellar 44.4 percent from beyond the arc. This kind of performance indicates a bright future in the NBA, whether he lands in San Antonio or elsewhere.
Dillingham’s proactive approach could either be seen as a bold, strategic move or a desperate gamble. Only time will tell if his campaign pays off. One thing is certain: wherever he ends up, Dillingham is poised to make waves in the NBA.
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