Matt Lloyd said second-year big man Joan Beringer will earn a meaningful role this season after Minnesota moved Julius Randle to Brooklyn and sent Naz Reid to Charlotte for LaMelo Ball. The two offseason moves eliminated the front-court logjam that left Beringer with only garbage-time minutes as a rookie. Lloyd’s grin in Las Vegas summed it up: “Oh boy... Here we go.”
Beringer appeared in 40 games last season, the bulk of them in the final minutes of blowouts. When given extended minutes he posted 13 points and five rebounds in 30 minutes against Milwaukee in January, and later exploded for 24 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks in the regular-season finale against New Orleans. Those performances highlighted a blend of size and athleticism that was difficult to showcase behind a rotation anchored by Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid.
The young forward now sits directly behind Gobert in the depth chart, providing a defensive specialist who can protect the rim without sacrificing mobility. Lloyd recalled a recent pickup game in which Beringer grabbed a defensive rebound, sprinted the length of the floor, changed direction twice and finished over a defender. That ability fits Minnesota’s switch-heavy scheme and aligns with the low-turnover offensive game the team values. Tim Connelly said Beringer “doesn’t make mistakes offensively” and that his physical profile is shared by only a handful of players in the league.
Connelly’s roster moves removed Randle and Reid from the frontcourt, opening a clear window of playing time for Beringer. By trading the veteran power forward and the backup center, the Wolves created a development path that allows the sophomore big man to see consistent minutes on a nightly basis. The front office expects Beringer to compete for the backup center spot while also providing flexibility at power forward, and the increased opportunity should accelerate his growth.
Beringer will test his versatility at power forward during the NBA Summer League, a stint that should solidify his role before the regular season begins in October. He acknowledged the challenge, saying, “I know I still have some work to do, especially if I want to play minutes at power forward. I never played this position, but I feel I can be good. I’m very excited to have some opportunity.” If he can translate his summer-league minutes into consistent contributions, Minnesota will finally have the depth to complement its star-centered core without sacrificing speed or intensity.
