Alex Rodriguez & Marc Lore Put In Discomfort With $84 Million News As Timberwolves NBA Draft Move Results In Chaos

Draft day is for bold moves and Minnesota has a bag full of them. The Timberwolves traded into the lottery to acquire Rob Dillingham whom the Spurs selected at no. 8. In exchange, the Wolves have given draft picks for several years. Already, Minnesota has erupted in cheering imagining Anthony Edwards forming an offensive with the Kentucky guard. But for the organization, things are a little tight. With all of their stars that took the team to the third-best record in the West still on the payroll, Dillingham’s rookie salary is going to cost the Wolves owners dearly.

According to NBA insider, Bobby Marks, the T-Wolves’ luxury tax was at $56 million. But since they’ve traded up, the tax bill has climbed $84 million. Marks terms it as, “An aggressive move for a Minnesota team that returns the same starting 5 but was faced with limited options in free agency.”

When they acquired Rudy Gobert in 2022 from Utah, they had only two first-round picks available to trade this season – the 27th pick in this 2024 draft and a first-round pick in 2031 – both of which have gone to San Antonio. Dillingham was their second pick after they selected UConn’s Stephon Castle fourth overall.

Dillingham was a 2023-24 All-SEC selection and the SEC Sixth Man of the Year. He averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 rebounds during his single season at Kentucky. He’s green but has the potential to upgrade the T-Wolves offense. By most accounts, he’s a talented addition to the Minnesota backcourt fresh off a 56-26 record.

His defense leaves a little to be desired, at just single digits and recording just one steal in college. Regardless, Minnesota has a history of picking 19-year-olds and toughening them up. Yet the potential salary he could command would not only make (unofficial) team owners, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, hard-capped in the second apron, but fans are also squirming.

Wolves bet big on rookie

In April 2021, MLB legend Alex Rodriguez and entrepreneur Marc Lore collaborated to acquire the Minnesota Timberwolves for $1.5 billion. But in 2024, Glen Taylor called off the sale. Things are still dicey regarding ownership but they power through the draft with bold moves.

Minnesota had not paid a luxury tax since the 2019-20 season, just before A-Rod entered the chat. The fact that they’re willing to fork out $84 million amid unresolved dispute shows how much they want Dillingham. It’s estimated he could sign a rookie scale contract worth $28.6 million. That will put his salary under $6.3 million next season.

Fans speculate he would be advantageous right off the bench but possibly sub out when defense is a necessity. But what most agree is that, after reaching the playoffs for the first time in 20 years, this is an expensive declaration by Minnesota to reach the finals under a new ownership.

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