In This Story
Minnesota Timberwolves
Aug 12, 2025 8:03 AM EDT
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a good roster built around Anthony Edwards. It is a good mix of young talent and veteran players. Amongst those veterans is Rudy Gobert, who has been one of this generation’s best defenders, as evidenced by his four Defensive Player of the Year awards.
One of those awards came during his time with the Timberwolves, and his impact is undeniable. Despite that impact, the reality is that Gobert is 33, so time is ticking for him. Considering Edwards is only 24, he has a long future ahead of him with the organization, so they need to acquire young players who will thrive alongside him in the long term.
Joan Beringer during Draft Night in June 2025, the night he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Joan Beringer arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images — Source: Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The plan for the long-term future is for Joan Beringer to succeed Gobert. Not only is he lanky and French like Gobert, but he has all the tools to become a top defensive center. He is an athletic player, but he has developed strong defensive instincts, even if he has only played the sport seriously for a few years.
This succession won’t happen for a long time, considering Beringer is an extremely raw prospect. However, the best part about his rise is that he fits well with the timeline. When he is ready in a couple of seasons, Gobert will be in the final stretch of his career, and Beringer will have learned plenty of lessons under his tutelage.
The Timberwolves Must Ease Beringer Into The Team
While it is perfectly understandable to get excited about Beringer’s potential, people should not suddenly appoint him as the next great center. He is still a developing player who will need to improve on every facet of his game.
Thankfully, he has all the necessary tools to become a valuable center even at his young age. He has the athleticism, so he can rebound and finish lob passes. The defensive instincts are already there, as proven by his 2025 NBA Summer League performance with his shot-blocking.
Oops! We’re unable to load this content right now.
View directly on 𝕏
He will also learn the tricks of the trade as a defensive center under Gobert. That is even more valuable when thinking about how they are both French, so there is a natural rapport between them. As long as Beringer is willing to learn, he is on a good path to improve with the Timberwolves.
Now, the fans should always be wary of expecting too much from Beringer early on. He is one of the youngest players from the 2025 Draft class, so it is best to temper their expectations and be patient.
Gobert Is Still With the Timberwolves
As long as Gobert is still playing at a high level, he will be the Timberwolves’ de facto starter at center. His arrival helped the franchise reach two Western Conference Finals, which is twice as many as they did during the Kevin Garnett era.
Oops! We’re unable to load this content right now.
View directly on 𝕏
With Gobert as the defensive anchor, the Timberwolves have been one of the toughest teams to beat. They have Edwards serving as the go-to guy on offense, while Gobert settles the defense down.
Chris Finch is running a tight ship with Edwards and Gobert as the building blocks. Of course, Gobert is getting older, but thankfully, they already have a plan in place with Beringer or even Rocco Zikarsky in the long run. The future is bright, and the Timberwolves are already laying out the foundation for long-term success.
About the Author
Cholo Martin Magsino