When the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Joan Beringer with the No. 17 pick in June's draft, it was expected that he would be more of a project player. However, when asked to play real minutes, Beringer appeared to be ahead of schedule.
In the four games he has played 10 plus minutes, Beringer has averaged 9.7 points (on 16-of-19 shooting) and 5.0 rebounds. Notably, all of these games came in January or February. Beringer's first two games, earning rotational minutes, were the best, as he totaled 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Beringer's blend of rim protection and lob finishing makes him an ideal center for Minnesota.
After these strong performances, Beringer looked ready for real minutes. It may have never come this year, given Minnesota's loaded frontcourt. Nevertheless, Beringer was primed to play a sizable role with the Wolves next season. Beringer's emergence made it seem possible that the Wolves would part ways with one of their frontcourt players to make room for him.
Despite the Wolves dealing with injuries in recent games, Beringer hasn't seen the floor outside of garbage time minutes. As such, he might be more of a long-term project player after all.
The Wolves not playing Joan Beringer might be a sign for next season
Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons was the latest example of this. Without Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Ayo Dosunmu, Beringer only played 3:45 minutes of garbage time.
Beringer not seeing minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers without Edwards and Naz Reid, and not playing until garbage time against the Utah Jazz with these two players out, is worth noting.
It's a bit troubling to me that Beringer hasn't been able to crack the rotation despite injuries and the upside he's shown.
The expectation was always that he wouldn't play a ton as a rookie, so in a vacuum, this isn't all that surprising. Regardless, it was also expected that he would play real minutes next year, especially after the potential he showed when called upon earlier in the year. Now, though, I'm du
Finding Beringer meaningful minutes would help him develop, and Chris Finch opting not to do so while the team battles with injuries is telling to me. Of course, Finch's top priority is winning, so if he doesn't think Beringer can contribute to winning, he won't play him. The arrival of Kyle Anderson also makes finding minutes for Beringer tricky.
At the same time, given his solid flashes in January and February, I don't see why he can't play in games where the Wolves are dealing with injuries.
Beringer's last game, in which he earned rotational minutes, came in February against the Philadelphia 76ers; he fouled out in 16:51 minutes. It's possible that Beringer's subpar performance hurt Finch's confidence.
Ultimately, though, Beringer not being given minutes despite Minnesota's injuries and his solid flashes makes me curious if he's going to get the sizable role all fans want him to see next season.