It's a known thing that every year, NBA fans have to tell themselves not to overreact to summer league performances. While this is true this year for Minnesota Timberwolves second-year center Joan Beringer, I'd be lying if I said that just one game in, there aren't some things to get really excited about.
In just one summer league game, he posted an impressive 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. Not only is the stat line pleasing to look at, especially since it also involved only one turnover and two fouls, but the eye test matched it, and maybe more.
He not only caught difficult passes in traffic and proceeded to finish, but he also took multiple defenders off the dribble, finished through contact, and knocked down all of his free throws (albeit only three). This game was a sight for sore eyes compared to the Wolves' usual center play.
JOAN APPRECIATION POST. pic.twitter.com/eS3e4fvKyl
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) July 9, 2026
Joan Beringer already looks more polished offensively than Rudy Gobert
Now I'm not here to dunk on Rudy Gobert; he's completely transformed this team's identity over the past four years, and he's a walking top 10 defense in the game. However, on offense, he leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the scoring and creation department.
Gobert is valuable on offense due to his elite screen-setting, offensive rebounding, and being near the top of the league in field goal percentage for the majority of his career. That last stat can be a little misleading because it's rare that he's scoring something that isn't a dunk or a putback, and when he tries to create his own looks, things can get chaotic.
Beringer is nowhere near the level of defender, rebounder, or even player that Gobert is currently, but the flashes on offense we saw out of him in that game were things Wolves fans have begged Gobert to improve at.
Joan Beringer should have a big role on the Wolves this season
After the slew of trades Tim Connelly cooked up, the Wolves are beyond thin in the frontcourt. I'm not even sure the Wolves know who's going to be starting at power forward on opening night. But either way, the backup center spot opened up, and it's Beringer's to lose.
He'll provide a different element than Gobert, especially on offense, but will have a similar role on defense. He'll be asked to anchor the defense, protect the rim, and hold his own on switches, which I'm confident he can do.
On offense, no disrespect to Gobert, but it might be a breath of fresh air for guys like Anthony Edwards to play with a center who they're confident will catch all types of passes and finish through contact.
There's a reason why Beringer was untouchable in trade talks, and it only took one summer league game for Wolves fans to believe in the vision. Beringer is the truth, y'all.
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