The Timberwolves don’t have to apologize for how they’re built on defense, even with LaMelo Ball now in the mix and the team leaning more toward the perimeter. The easy fear is that Minnesota’s identity could soften after years of being anchored by Rudy Gobert. But the case for a real drop-off just isn’t strong.
Gobert remains the foundation. He’s been a walking top-10 defense for most of his career, and his rim protection still gives Minnesota a massive safety net. The age question is there, but the source of the concern is pretty clear: as long as Gobert is healthy enough to get to 60-plus games, the Wolves should keep a high defensive floor.
Jaden McDaniels is the other pillar. At 6-foot-9, he gives Minnesota a true point-of-attack stopper who can bother opposing stars before they ever get to Gobert.
That pairing matters. Elite rim protection plus elite POA defense is the formula, and the Timberwolves have it.
In fact, only the San Antonio Spurs can match that kind of brilliance at both spots, according to the source material.
And the supporting cast is better defensively than it might first appear. Jonathan Kuminga is a strong defender against opposing fours.
Anthony Edwards can handle guards when needed, and Ball’s offense should help him conserve more energy on the other end. Ayo Dosunmu brings perimeter pest energy.
Jaylen Clark offers tenacious on-ball defense deep on the bench. Joan Beringer could also help with the non-Gobert minutes, which have been a recurring problem for Minnesota.
Kuminga is the most interesting piece in that group because he effectively replaces Julius Randle and Naz Reid. On paper, that could look like a depth hit up front.
Defensively, though, Kuminga is the better option. He doesn’t have Randle’s strength, but he’s more agile, more switchable, and more dangerous as a defensive playmaker.
Per Databallr, Kuminga ranked in the 73rd percentile for deflections and 43rd percentile for blocks per 100 possessions, while Randle was in the 52nd and 8th percentiles in those categories.
There’s also room for Kuminga to become even more disruptive if he stays engaged off the ball. The upside is real.
Reid, meanwhile, brings effort, but not the kind of twitchiness that makes a difference on the perimeter. He graded well as a defensive playmaker last season, but he could be exposed by back cuts and didn’t hold up especially well on the ball. B-Ball Index had Kuminga in the 86th percentile for perimeter isolation, while Reid was down at the 29th percentile.
That matters because Reid and Randle both spent time out of position, especially in the non-Gobert minutes. If Beringer is ready to help, Minnesota could actually get to 48 minutes of solid rim protection.
So while the Timberwolves may not finish as the No. 1 defense like they did in 2023-24, there’s still a real path to staying top 10. And if the new pieces click the way they can, there’s even a chance the defense gets better.
In Other News...
Timberwolves Season May Ride On Two Role Changes Fans Can't Ignore
The Timberwolves reshuffled roster has created a few clear lanes for opportunity, and two of them could matter a lot once the season settles in. Joan Beringer is expected to move into a bigger reserve role behind Rudy Gobert, giving Minnesota a younger big man more chances to develop while providing the frontcourt with a different look when Gobert sits. It is the sort of change that can quietly shape a teams rotation long before the numbers on the page catch up.
Jaden McDaniels is the other name to watch, especially with the way Minnesotas frontcourt and scoring order have shifted around him. After a strong playoff stretch last spring, he looks positioned for a larger offensive load, which would ask him to do more than defend and finish chances as they come. For a team trying to stay balanced while integrating new pieces, the way McDaniels handles that bump could say plenty about how far this group can go. [Read more 🡒]
Wolves Are Giving Jules Bernard Another Chance To Force The Issue
The Timberwolves are taking another look at Jules Bernard, giving the free agent guard a non-guaranteed training camp contract as they continue sorting out the edges of the roster. Bernard has already logged NBA time with Washington and previously spent a brief stretch on a two-way deal with Minnesota, though he never got into a game for the Wolves.
The renewed opportunity matters because camp deals can still become something more if a player forces the issue in the right setting. Minnesota is not alone in making those kinds of moves, either, with point guard David Stockton landing a similar arrangement with Phoenix and likely heading to the Suns' G League affiliate after camp, but Bernard now gets one more chance to make his case in front of a team that has already seen enough to bring him back. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Fans Just Got A New Way To Watch All Season
Timberwolves fans looking for a simpler way to follow the team now have a new streaming option as Minnesota has teamed up with DAZN for live and on-demand access to games not picked up for exclusive national broadcasts. The deal also covers preseason action and adds more Timberwolves content through the service, giving local viewers another route to keep up with the club across the long season.
For fans in the Minnesota broadcast market, the setup includes several subscription choices and a free trial through the app, making it easier to sample the service before committing. It is the kind of distribution move that can matter quickly for a fan base that wants consistent access, especially when game nights no longer depend on the same old TV setup. [Read more 🡒]