When the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Joan Beringer with the 17th overall pick this June, their plan was clearly to find Rudy Gobert's ultimate successor. While Beringer's upside is immense, especially on defense with a rare combination of rim protection and mobility, he is undoubtedly a project player who will need time to develop. Timberwolves fans should absolutely be excited about Beringer's upside, but they also must realize it will take time for the 18-year-old.
In his rookie season, don't expect Beringer to play anything more than occasional spot minutes. Perhaps if injuries arise, he could play some real minutes. However, it's clear he won't be aconsistent part of Minnesota's rotation in his first season. Don't be surprised if he is assigned to the Iowa G League squad for a portion of the season. Beringer's raw offensive skill set and the fact that he started playing basketball at 15 warrant a patient approach.
The Wolves are planning for Beringer to be Gobert's successor
While there's nothing wrong with developing a young player, it's undoubtedly harder to do as a team with title aspirations. Gobert is 33 and has shown signs of decline on offense. If he further declines, Beringer's development becomes even more vital.
Gobert's contract expires in 2028, which could signal the Wolves' desired timeline for Beringer taking over as the starting center. Still, Beringer will turn 22 in November 2028, meaning it's unclear if he'll be prepared for this responsibility.
Of course, ideally, after three seasons, Beringer would be polished enough to take a starting role, and this is certainly possible. However, it's far from a guarantee, 22-years-old is still young, especially for a project player like Beringer.
As stated earlier, Beringer likely won't get many minutes in his rookie season. However, the Wolves will have to find a way to work him into the rotation in his second and certainly third season. This might involve some growing pains early on, but it's the right move for the team's future.
Beringer's upside is clear but Wolves fans must be patient
On the bright side, Beringer is already an NBA-level defender and showcased potential in summer league, averaging 2.5 blocks, including a six-block game in his debut. Defense will be Beringer's path to minutes early on, likely his calling card throughout his career. Beringer's knack for shot-blocking, paired with his athleticism and switchability, gives him legit All-Defensive upside.
Good example of Joan Beringer's mobility.
— Jonah (@Huncho_Jman) July 17, 2025
Getting through the initial screen, fighting around the bump, sliding back to Maluach before exploding towards the ball to disrupt the shot. pic.twitter.com/vSfiBIp9ue
However, Beringer's offense needs to catch up. As a screener and lob threat, Beringer has a clear role. He showcased some of this upside in summer league. Still, Beringer needs to work on his decision-making and overall polish. Currently, at the NBA-level, he would provide minimal offensive value. Of course, there's plenty of time to improve for the 18-year-old Frenchmen, and if Beringer's offensive game indeed develops, he could be a highly impactful two-way player.
Ultimately, Beringer could very well be the Wolves' center of the future. However, Wolves fans must realize that he is a developmental player, and it may take years before he's ready for a significant role.