The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the offseason with limited draft capital, and they further gutted their future draft capital by trading for LaMelo Ball. From now until 2033, the Wolves only have the least favorable of two pick swaps (one in 2028 and one in 2030), as well as their own pick in 2032.
In the second apron era, finding contributors on rookie contracts is extremely valuable. Furthermore, as players age out of your team's timeline, it's ideal to have a young player ready for a bigger role. Picks also give some trade flexibility. Still, the Timberwolves have a championship-level core right now. Likewise, the Wolves' core is primarily built around 26-and-under players, and second-year big man Joan Beringer is a developmental piece with a ton of upside.
For the next three seasons, Beringer can give the Timberwolves quality minutes on a rookie contract, and his development can make up for the Wolves not regularly adding rookies. This advantage will truly start this season, as Beringer is slated to be Rudy Gobert's primary backup.
Joan Beringer's development can negate the need for more young players
Beringer doesn't turn 20 until November. He is a freaky athlete who moves remarkably well for his 6-foot-11 size. As a switchable rim protector on defense and a rim runner on offense, his athletic gifts jump off the screen. By protecting the rim, catching lobs, and crashing the glass, Beringer has a path to impacting winning this season.
However, Beringer has a lot of room to grow. Remember, he just started playing basketball in 2021. Each season, Beringer will continue to develop and get better. I'm confident he can thrive in a 15-minute-per-game role this season and continue to sharpen up his skills until he's a high-end starting center down the road.
Beringer has already flashed some comfort attacking the rim with the ball in his hands, and if he can add that consistently, his ceiling is super high. Improving his defensive positioning, physicality, and discipline could help him maximize his defensive upside. Assuming he gets ample court time, Beringer's game will keep growing until he's ready to be a quality starting center. And with his athletic gifts, he has legit star upside.
Look, Gobert is awesome, but he's 34. At some point, he'll age out of the Wolves' core, and when he does, Beringer will be ready to take over. As noted, being able to replace aging players is a key advantage that the draft gives competitive teams. While the Wolves won't have this advantage on a year-in, year-out basis, Beringer's development can offset this concern.
If everything goes right, Beringer will establish himself as a vital part of the Wolves' 26-and-under core, not just an intriguing one. With Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Ayo Dosunmu as established yet still fairly young players, adding a long-term center would be ideal.
Picks aside, the Timberwolves are well-positioned to win both now and in the future. Beringer can provide some immediate value, while being able to help Minnesota extend its championship window.
At the end of the day, who needs a slew of picks when you have a young player like Beringer and a core that's ready to win?
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