Last year, the Minnesota Timberwolves made waves by trading up to land Kentucky’s explosive guard Rob Dillingham. This year, speculation swirled once again as team president Tim Connelly fielded offers to move from the 17th overall pick — either up or down. But ultimately, no deal materialized.
Instead, the Timberwolves held their ground just outside the lottery and selected 7-foot French prospect Joan Beringer, a raw but tantalizing big man with elite defensive instincts. Minnesota is optimistic that fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert can help mentor the 18-year-old and ease his transition both on and off the court. Beringer only recently learned English — impressively mastering it in just seven months — and now brings a skill set that mirrors Gobert’s shot-blocking prowess, while also adding a more fluid, floor-spacing dimension to his game.
Though the 2025 NBA Draft is still ongoing — split into two days for the second straight year — Minnesota is already drawing praise. The Timberwolves hold the first pick of tonight’s second round, a valuable asset that GM Matt Lloyd believes could attract future first-round offers before the day is out.
Still, all eyes remain on Beringer. Draft analysts are buzzing, calling him a long-term steal and a future anchor in Minnesota’s frontcourt — if given time to develop.
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