Timberwolves could have a future star on their hands in Joan Beringer

The appeal with Minnesota Timberwolves big man Joan Beringer has always been his upside, especially on defense. He has a rare combination of size, length, athleticism, and mobility. This skill set makes Beringer highly switchable, which, coupled with his rim protection, gives him immense defensive potential.   

Beringer showcased this potential in limited minutes during his rookie year. With Naz Reid in Charlotte and Julius Randle in Brooklyn, Beringer has a clear path to regular minutes. As such, this season we'll see more of Beringer's skill set and defense. 

During an appearance on the Jon Krawczynski Show, Timberwolves lead executive Tim Connelly said that Beringer has a rare combination of physical tools that you only see once every 10 to 15 years.

"He showed great flashes last year. We think he can be a superhuman defender. He guards Ant all the time in these one-on-one games. But he's got, you know, these unique physical tools that you see once every 10, 15 years. A lot of guys can run, or they can run and jump, or they can jump and move laterally. He can do all three. And he's just a sponge, and he's got the greatest mentor ever in Rudy," Connelly said.

Connelly's comments certainly set a high bar, but Beringer absolutely has significant star-level upside.

Even if Beringer doesn't totally live up to this once-in-a-decade label, there's no denying that he is a special athlete and he has the potential to be a game-wrecking defensive anchor. At the very least, his mobility and athleticism will uplift the Timberwolves' defense. His athleticism also gives him some clear offensive upside.

Joan Beringer's defensive upside is immense

Unless you're a top-tier drop coverage defender, some level of switchability is ideal for modern big men to thrive on defense. Thankfully, as noted, Beringer is remarkably mobile and laterally quick for his 6-foot-11 frame. Being able to run a switch-heavy scheme is a massive advantage in a league that is increasingly trending toward matchup hunting. 

Not only does Beringer project to hold up on switches, but by all accounts, his athleticism and IQ should allow him to excel when tasked with switching onto the perimeter.

Beringer's switchability could be what separates him as a great defender. Regardless, his rim protection is something that can't be ignored; this is where his leaping ability and traditional athleticism can be seen the most. He is a genuinely special shot-blocker who can cover up for his teammates' mistakes. Notably, Beringer ranked in the 92nd percentile for blocks per 100 possessions. 

This blend of rim protection and switchability makes Beringer the complete package defensively. 

A few years down the road, Beringer could be one of the league's best defenders. In the meantime, he should be an impactful reserve big man. To this end, Beringer should help keep the Timberwolves' defense afloat when Rudy Gobert is off the floor (which has been a problem in the past few years), and he gives them a clear plan at center once Gobert retires. And to Connelly's original point, Gobert is the ideal mentor to ensure Beringer reaches his ceiling. 

Having a big man like this alongside LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards for the foreseeable future is a massive benefit.

Beringer also has plenty of upside on offense

While defense may always be Beringer's bread and butter, his offensive profile gives him a path to being a two-way beast and star-level player. At the very least, Beringer will be a rock-solid rim runner thanks to his ability to run up and down the court, jump out of the gym, and strong hands. This. paired with his defensive chops, could make him a sneaky All-Star play in the mold of Jarrett Allen.

And, if the 19-year-old can consistently take people off the dribble and drive to the basket as he flashed last season and summer league, there's no telling what level he could reach. 

As is the case with all young players, Beringer has some work to do on both ends of the court. He needs to cut back on some foul problems, play with more physicality, and overall, prove that he can provide positive minutes on a nightly basis. 

However, Beringer clearly has star-level upside, largely thanks to his athleticism and defensive profile. Likewise, the Timberwolves have an unwavering degree of belief in Beringer, and if everything goes as planned, the whole world will soon figure out why.

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