During media availability before the start of Summer League, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham was asked who has impressed him so far, and he was quick to praise 17th overall pick Joan Beringer.
“The rookie. The rookie cold, Joan(Beringer) solid I’m not gonna lie, he’s super solid, I like him,” Dillingham said.
It’s nice to see Beringer is already impressing other Wolves players. Additionally, this quote should excite Wolves fans as it feels likely that Beringer and Dillingham will develop an on-court connection. Their playstyles complement each other perfectly, so it’s easy to see how these two will develop as a duo. We will get a taste of this pairing in the Summer League. Let’s dive into the potential of a Dillingham and Beringer duo.
Dillingham and Beringer are a perfect fit
Dillingham’s playmaking is an underrated part of his game, and lob passing is what he particularly excels at. This is perfect next to Beringer, who is a classic lob threat. Having a young lob threat and pick-and-roll partner for Dillingham to develop alongside is perfect. Moreover, Dillingham’s speed and Beringer’s athleticism are an ideal fit. Seeing that Dillingham is already impressed with Beringer is an encouraging sign for this pairing.
Beringer’s screening will also open up opportunities for Dillingham as a scorer. Every point guard thrives next to a rim-running center like Beringer, and every center thrives next to a crafty guard like Dillingham. Overall, the two-man game between Dillingham and Beringer will be advantageous for both players.
Defensively, Beringer’s rim protection will be beneficial in covering up Dillingham’s flaws. He also projects to have solid versatility, which makes him an even better fit next to Dillingham. Beringer likely won’t play a ton as a rookie, as the 18-year-old is still pretty raw. Nevertheless, the long-term fit for this pairing is clear. Dillingham is poised for a bigger role this upcoming season, which will help him further develop as a playmaker and scorer. Once Beringer is ready for a rotational role, Dillingham’s development will make the fit even more seamless.
In the NBA minutes that Beringer does get as a rookie, expect some of them to be with Dillingham, given his lob passing abilities. Still, in the Summer League, we’ll get to see what this duo could look like in a few years. Ultimately, Wolves fans should be excited about the future of this duo, and this excitement will only build after a strong Summer League.