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Timberwolves Get Major Joan Beringer News After NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Trevor Squire | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves backloaded their frontcourt with the selection of 18-year-old French center Joan Beringer in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

But how does he figure into a loaded Wolves roster that already has sidelined many developing talents outside its nine-man rotation?

Beringer is the prototypical draft-and-stash asset, having come over from Europe.

He started playing basketball just four years ago and is considered one of the rawest talents in the 2025 draft class after averaging just 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds for Cedevita Olimpija in the Slovenian First League.

Ricky Rubio took to becoming a face of the franchise, playing two years for Barcelona after the Timberwolves drafted him in 2009 before joining the team.

However, there are other plans for Beringer.

Shortly after the Wolves selected Beringer 17th overall on June 25, insider Dane Moore reported that Beringer "will not be a draft-and-stash, per source. He will be here in Minnesota next season."

Joan Beringer will not be a draft-and-stash, per source. He will be here in Minnesota next season.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) June 26, 2025

According to Moore, Beringer will be much closer to the team, which bodes well for the Rudy Gobert succession plan.

Gobert offered his approval of the move on X after Beringer was selected, and the younger Frenchman also offered his flowers to the four-time Defensive Player of the Year.

"Amazing. I'm very happy, also to play with Rudy Gobert. It's an amazing feeling. I'm very happy," Beringer said, per The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski.

Beringer could spend time bouncing between the Iowa Wolves and the Timberwolves; however, his development appears to be tantamount to Tim Connelly's plans for the franchise by keeping him in the states on the hip of Gobert.

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

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