Timberwolves' Biggest Offseason Winner Might Surprise Fans
Anthony Edwards finally got his co-star when the Minnesota Timberwolves traded for Charlotte Hornets franchise player LaMelo Ball. The Wolves gave up Naz Reid and a haul of draft picks in the process, but the pressure has been on the organization to get over the hump for years, and this move could be the first step.
But almost immediately after the trade, questions shifted to how Minnesota would replace the production it lost in the frontcourt after also dealing Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets. Those two combined to log nearly 60 minutes per game last season, and the Timberwolves did little in free agency or the draft to replenish that depth.
But according to ESPN’s Ben Golliver, the Wolves may already have their replacement waiting in the wings.
In his 2026 NBA Summer League preview, Golliver highlighted one player to watch for each of the league’s 30 teams. For Minnesota, he pointed to second-year big man Joan Beringer.
“Beringer, 19, looks like the biggest beneficiary of the Timberwolves’ decision to move Julius Randle and Naz Reid in separate trades this summer,” Golliver wrote. “Timberwolves coach Chris Finch suddenly has a gaping hole in his frontcourt rotation, and Beringer is in line to help fill it.”
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Beringer enters his second NBA season with a golden opportunity in front of him.
The 6-foot-11 French big man was selected 17th overall in the 2025 NBA draft after a rapid rise through the European basketball system. He averaged 5.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 18.2 minutes across 54 games while helping Cedevita Olimpija win the 2024-25 Slovenian Basketball Cup, all at just 18 years old.
Known for his length, athleticism, and defensive instincts, possessing a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Beringer spent much of his rookie season developing, splitting time between Minnesota and their G League affiliate, Iowa Wolves.
In 40 games with the Timberwolves, he averaged 3.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in just 7.9 minutes per game. But he exploded on April 12th against the Pelicans, finishing with a career-high 24 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks in 31 minutes.
It’s no secret that the West runs through Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, and Chet Holmgren right now, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. If the Wolves want to make a real run at a championship, they need to find a way to counter that, and Beringer may be it.
He’s already shown flashes and can take time to develop behind Rudy Gobert, another Frenchman who’s already proven he can go toe-to-toe with Wembanyama.
Summer League will be the first chance for Beringer to show he’s ready to make the jump.
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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 8:28 PM.