Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Rudy Gobert Reacts to Timberwolves Drafting His Potential Replacement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Trevor Squire | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 11:52 PM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves' selection of Joan Beringer could be a harbinger for what's ahead for Rudy Gobert.

Selected with the 17th overall pick the day before Gobert's 34th birthday, Beringer, an 18-year-old Frenchman, could be the heir apparent to Gobert's place at the heart of the Timberwolves defense.

Beringer has a unique blend of size, mobility and has great hands for picking up the game of basketball just four years ago. However, his inexperience and raw talent have made him one of the draft's biggest mysteries.

Joan Beringer is raw, he’s toolsy, and he might just be the most intriguing defensive prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft class.

At 7’0” in shoes with a stupid 7’4.5” wingspan, Beringer swallows up space like a vacuum—fluid, long, and annoying to deal with on the perimeter. The… pic.twitter.com/8WCyzYzk2m
— NBA Draft Dude (@CoreyTulaba) June 22, 2025

Gobert, who turns 34 on June 26, signed a three-year $110 million extension last year that will keep him under contract through the 2027-28 season. He'll be 36 years old in the final year of that deal.

While Beringer could be the reason the Timberwolves move on from Gobert one day, he'll play understudy to the four-time Defensive Player of the Year for now.

Meanwhile, the elder Frenchman took to X after the Wolves selected Beringer on June 25.

Just minutes after Beringer's selection, Gobert posted a series of emojis along prayer hands (or high-fives) and a wolf.

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) June 26, 2025

Facing questions about Naz Reid, who has a player option in his contract this summer, the Timberwolves gained some security at backup center.

In NBC Sports' final mock draft, the outlet argued that Reid's shortcomings on defense could be reason for Beringer to begin seeing playing time as a developmental rim protector.

Overall, the selection of Beringer will not see its final valuation until years down the line, considering his young age.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: