The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Joan Beringer with the No. 17 pick in June's draft. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, the French big man is physically gifted. Furthermore, Beringer is just 18 years old and has immense upside. During Monday's media day, Beringer put no limits on his ceiling.
“I don’t want to put a limit on my potential, Beringer said. I want to be one of the best players in the league and one of the best defenders. That is my goal.”
Beringer's ambition is admirable, and this is exactly the mindset you want to see from the rookie. And crucially, it's not far-fetched to say that the sky is the limit for Beringer, especially on defense.
Beringer's two-way upside is clear
Beringer is an elite rim protector; he notably averaged 2.5 blocks in summer league and 1.5 with Cedevita Olimpija last season. Impressively, Beringer is also extremely mobile and versatile. His blend of shot blocking and switchability gives him incredible defensive potential.
It's not far-fetched to say that Beringer can become one of the NBA's best defenders when he reaches his prime, and learning from a four-time Defensive Player of the Year in Rudy Gobert will certainly help. Regardless, Beringer has a long way to go to reach his incredible ceiling. He just started playing basketball in 2021, which makes him less NBA-ready than other rookies.
With his gifted athletic tools, it's possible that Beringer eventually becomes a two-way force. Nevertheless, he isn't very polished on offense right now. As a rookie on a contending team, it's unlikely that Beringer will earn consistent minutes in Chris Finch's rotation this season. Getting some occasional spot minutes feels likely, though, and as he progresses, Beringer will only become a more important part of the Wolves' core.
The Timberwolves are in an ideal position
Undoubtedly, the Wolves are in one of the best positions in the league. They have a team built to compete for a championship now. Plus, with Anthony Edwards only being 24, the Wolves are built to sustain this success for years, and having high-upside young players like Beringer is key to extending the timeline around Edwards.
Along with Beringer, the Wolves have Terrence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, and Jaylen Clark as younger players with high potential. Moreover, Jaden McDaniels is only 25, and Naz Reid is just 26.
Ultimately, it's not far-fetched to believe that Beringer has legit star upside and could become a key part of the Wolves' core.