The Minnesota Timberwolves were a slightly above-average rebounding team last season. They outrebounded their opponents by 28 total rebounds over 82 games.
That was, of course, with Naz Reid and Julius Randle on the roster. This offseason, the Wolves sacrificed some of the size that had been a staple of the team in recent years in order to add star point guard LaMelo Ball.
It will have to be a team effort to crash the glass now that they have less size than in previous years.
Gobert, and then who else on the glass?
Rudy Gobert is one of the game’s best rebounders and has been for some time now. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year has averaged double figures in rebounding for 11 straight years. The 11.5 boards he averaged in 2025-26 were the fifth-most, and that number may increase with Reid and Randle no longer on the team.
The 34-year-old is also the only player on the current roster who averaged more than five rebounds per contest in 2025–26; Anthony Edwards averaged exactly five.
As a taller point guard, Ball does a good job of helping out on the glass. While the 4.8 rebounds he averaged last season were a career low with the Charlotte Hornets, he also played fewer minutes than normal as the team focused on keeping him healthy. The 6.2 rebounds he averaged per 36 minutes are right around his career mark of 6.6.
When Gobert needs a breather, Joan Beringer will be tasked with helping to make sure that the Wolves don't get killed on the boards. He did an excellent job rebounding the ball during his 11 G League appearances last season, and he averaged 10.6 rebounds per 36 minutes in limited action at the NBA level.
It is unclear who the Wolves will start at power forward to begin the season, but that player will likely be a below-average rebounder for the position. Trey Lyles was signed this offseason after taking a year off from the NBA, and he has proven to be a decent rebounder throughout his playing career. Still, it's unclear how big of a role he can have after being out of the league last season.
The backcourt needs to hustle to ensure that the team can secure the long rebounds. Beringer needs to step up, and Gobert needs to maintain his high level of play.
The Timberwolves will clearly have some major strengths during the course of next season; now they just need to ensure that rebounding does not become a huge weakness, which will require an all-around team effort.
Add us as a preferred source on Google