All season long, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been unable to keep up their defensive intensity when Rudy Gobert is on the bench. It has been a major issue, and one that Chris Finch has been unable to fix.
Why not give rookie Joan Beringer a chance to see what he can do? That’s a question that many in the Timberwolves’ fanbase have been asking. Beringer has yet to get the call to come in for meaningful minutes, and that will continue longer after he was assigned to the Iowa Wolves of the G League on Friday.
NEWS: @Timberwolves assign center Joan Beringer to G League affiliate @iawolves.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) January 2, 2026
Minnesota also transfers forward Enrique Freeman to Iowa.
Beringer yet to play meaningful minutes for the Timberwolves
Selected 17th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Beringer was seen as a potential long-term project, as he was just 18 when drafted (turned 19 on November 11). The 6-foot-11 center could be the successor in the middle to Rudy Gobert, who is signed through at least 2026-27 (player option in 2027-28).
There’s nothing wrong with taking someone you know, who it might take a couple of years to reward you, but what’s the harm in seeing if he can help some of the defensive issues that crop up without Gobert go away? Beringer entered the draft being seen as someone with loads of potential, particularly on the defensive end.
Instead, through 34 games played by the Timberwolves, Beringer has only appeared in 12, for a grand total of 53 minutes. All of that playing time came in what would be deemed as garbage time. Now, Beringer will spend time with the Iowa Wolves for his second G League stint.
Joan Beringer in his third G-League game:
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) December 17, 2025
17 points (9 in 1Q)
8 rebounds
4 blocks
2 assists
5-5 FG, 4-5 FT
29 minutes
His defensive versatility popped again (clips below), and benefited offensively when the Wolves got out and ran in transition. pic.twitter.com/W83LBE1Hgf
Stark difference on defense when Gobert is on and off the court
Thus far on the year, Gobert has played 1,077 minutes while he has sat for 570. On the court, Minnesota’s defensive rating is a stellar 108.4 per Cleaning the Glass. With Gobert off the court it dips to 123.6. The first number would be the second-best in the NBA. A 123.6 defensive rating would be dead last.
We can talk about how the Timberwolves have a ridiculously low 92.7 when Beringer has played. Obviously, that shouldn’t be read into too much, since again, none of Beringer’s minutes have been high-leverage.
The regular season is nearing the halfway point. To expect the defensive problems to go away with Gobert off the court without making changes would be unrealistic.
It's long overdue to throw Beringer into the fire. If it works, great! If he endures rookie struggles on both ends, well, at least the fans know Finch at least tried it out, and that a bright future for Beringer may still be ahead.