On Thursday, ESPN posted an article where NBA executives answered questions regarding the 2025 NBA Draft. Jeremy Woo surveyed 20 executives and scouts who were granted anonymity. One of the questions asked was, “Which rookie will be the biggest draft steal?” It should please Timberwolves fans to see the results.
Multiple executives believe that Beringer will be the biggest draft steal
Altogether, 15 players received at least one vote (some executives/scouts voted for more than one) for which player will be the biggest draft steal. Only three of the 15 garnered multiple votes.
One of the three is Timberwolves 2025 draft pick, Joan Beringer. Selected 17th overall out of France, the 6-foot-11 center came in second-place for the question finishing with four votes. The only draftee who finished ahead of Beringer is Carter Bryant. The 14th overall selection by the Spurs, Bryant got five votes.
The article mentions a quote given by an Eastern Conference general manager on Beringer, who gave him quite high praise.
"[Beringer] could turn out to be a top-five player in this draft. Upside is through the roof, and he doesn't even know how to play yet. He is also in a perfect situation where he can learn and grow from all of their bigs."
With much less playing experience than most others in the draft, Beringer is still just 18 years old (turns 19 on November 6). It certainly seems as if he has the opportunity to show plenty of development over the next few years.
Appearing in Minnesota’s first four summer league games, Beringer averaged 6.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks while playing 23.1 minutes per contest.
Beringer may need time to develop further
While the survey results should please Wolves fans, expectations should be tempered for the upcoming year. Again, Beringer won’t turn 19 until soon after the season begins.
On a team that has reached the Western Conference finals two straight years, it’s hard for a rookie to jump right into the rotation (such as Rob Dillingham last season). As a player with boatloads of potential on the defensive end, Beringer has four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to learn from and practice against.
Beringer could be in the Luka Garza role this season (although the former should be a better defender). At his young age, patience from the fans should be exhibited, and he should find a large role in the post-Gobert era.