This is one of the more intriguing Timberwolves’ Summer League rosters in recent memory, for a couple of reasons.

At the top of the list are the rookies, especially Rob Dillingham, whom the Wolves traded up to No. 8 in last month’s NBA Draft to nab; he is expected to play a legitimate role in the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season. But Terrence Shannon Jr. is also a capable scorer with whom local basketball fans are familiar.

And then there are the Timberwolves’ two-way and end-of-roster players from year’s past — guys like Leonard Miller, Josh Minott, Jaylen Clark and Daishen Nix, who also have avenues to NBA minutes next season if they can prove themselves worthy, a process that begins in earnest on Friday, when the Summer League squad opens competition in Las Vegas against New Orleans at 4 p.m. CT.

Here’s what to watch for from Minnesota’s most prominent names:

Rob Dillingham

Not only is Dillingham the biggest name on the list for obvious reasons, but he’s also the most important. Both Tim Connelly and Chris Finch have stated Dillingham will have a role for the Timberwolves next season, meaning the 19-year-old scoring guard will have an impact — positive or negative — on Minnesota’s title pursuit.

Generally, how many points a player scores in Summer League games isn’t a huge deal, but Dillingham is supposed to provide a needed scoring burst off the bench for the Timberwolves next season. So it would be a positive sign for potential future success if the guard can continue to fill it up with a similar efficiency to what he achieved in college while in Las Vegas.

Ideally, Dillingham will consistently lead Minnesota in scoring in Las Vegas and prove difficult for any defender to stay in front of while asserting himself as one of the top talents in Summer League.

Terrence Shannon Jr.

So much of what’s true for Dillingham is true for the Wolves’ other first-round pick in 2024. Shannon Jr. likely won’t be a prominent member of the Timberwolves’ NBA rotation if everyone is healthy next season. But he could be a fill-in option whether injury or situation requires it.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch would likely love to have another scoring option at his disposal to insert if things bog down offensively. Shannon Jr. needs to show he can do what he did his senior year at Illinois — relentlessly attack the rim, execute in transition and be a hounding on-ball defender — in Las Vegas. If he maintains all of those traits, he could prove himself to at least be a situational option for the Timberwolves next year.

Jaylen Clark

The second-round pick from a year ago spent the past year rehabbing his Achilles injury. But Clark has been cleared for the past month, and the 2022-23 national defensive player of the year will be a full-go in Las Vegas.

This one is simple — health. If Clark is able to harass opposing ball handlers at a high level in numerous games over the course of a week-plus and come away looking relatively fit and injury-free, Minnesota will gladly sign up for it.

As for the offense, Summer League assistant coach Max Lefevre said this to reporters this week: “He’s strong, so playing off the catch, one-two dribble, hitting you with his shoulder and going to finish. Getting in the paint and kick out,” Lefevre said. “Really just playing off the catch from the wings, from the corners, getting him downhill, using his physicality to create for other people. That’s how he’s going to play early, at least, in his career, then we’re going to try to add some ball skill where he can handle the ball in other situations. But that’s the start.”

Leonard Miller and Josh Minott

Lefevre noted Minott and Miller both have clear opportunities to earn playing time this next season, likely a nod to the departure of Kyle Anderson.

Anderson’s absence will likely mean more minutes for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and some of Anderson’s minutes will be swallowed up by recent signee Joe Ingles and perhaps even P.J. Dozier and Dillingham.

But there is an opportunity for a role — even if small — to be a backup forward who could log minutes if one of the Timberwolves’ three big men goes down or the opponent’s lineup construction calls for even more size in the second unit to combat it.

Both are still unfinished products with much polishing left to endure. Consistency in knowing what either would contribute on a night-to-night basis would likely grow Finch’s confidence in Minott or Miller exponentially.

Miller can continue to show himself to be a force on the glass. Wolves Summer League head coach Chris Hines noted Minott’s growth must come on the defensive end.

“Can he defend 1 on 1 on ball? He’s a great off-ball defender. He’s a great help-side defender,” Hines said. “Can he do that consistently, defending on-ball with bigger wings and switching 1 through 4?”

If that can be a constant, then perhaps Minott can earn more court time and, thus, provide more of his wowing athleticism that can send a jolt through a team.

Daishen Nix

The 23-year-old is best known currently in Minnesota as an excellent energy guy at the end of the bench. Often in street clothes as an inactive player, Nix started the trend of highlighting poster dunks by teammates via pointing a finger as play moved back to the opposite end of the floor.

But a more on-court role could be available this upcoming season in the form of a third point guard. Gone are Monte Morris, Jordan McLaughlin and even Anderson. And veteran starter Mike Conley will be 37 next season.

Behind him are Dillingham, who may eventually be the point guard of the future, but can likely only tote so many responsibilities as a rookie, as well as Alexander-Walker and Anthony Edwards, wings with growing playmaking abilities.

But should Conley miss time, it would be valuable for Minnesota to have more of a pure point guard available to stabilize the offense for stretches. That could be Nix. He’ll have a chance in Las Vegas to show his strengths as a floor general who can amplify the play of those around him.

“He’s going to get an opportunity. He’s got to take full advantage of his opportunity,” Hines said. “I think the kid is very skilled. I think he can pass the ball very well, but what can he do consistently? That’s what we want to see.”

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