The Minnesota Timberwolves’ preseason gave us a decent look at a revamped roster, but it didn’t answer everything. Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball looked like a natural fit.
Jaden McDaniels’ role appears to be growing. And it’s clear the Wolves want to play faster.
Still, six exhibition games only go so far. A few big questions are still hanging out there as the regular season approaches.
The biggest one might be Joan Beringer.
His NBA readiness has been one of the main storylines all offseason, especially with Naz Reid and Julius Randle out the door. That opens the path for real minutes, and Beringer is set to be Rudy Gobert’s backup.
The upside is obvious. He’s 19, he has size and tools, and he’s been playing basketball only since 2021.
Preseason, though, was a little bit of everything. Beringer flashed as a rim runner and shot blocker, and there were even moments when he took defenders off the dribble.
But there were also clear rough edges. He got into foul trouble, drifted out of position defensively, and his touch near the basket came and went.
In Minnesota’s preseason finale, he was especially shaky around the rim, finishing 4-for-12 from the field.
Chris Finch doesn’t really have the luxury of waiting forever. Beringer needs a real role for both development and roster reasons.
The hope is that he can eventually give Minnesota useful rim protection behind Gobert and add a bit of offensive pop, but preseason made it clear there will be growing pains. The real question now is how quickly he settles in.
The other concern is where the bench offense is supposed to come from.
There’s upside in that second unit, but outside of Ayo Dosunmu, the picture is pretty murky. Beringer is part of that uncertainty, and so are Terrence Shannon Jr., Bones Hyland, and Jaylen Clark. Trey Lyles could help as a steady veteran presence, but he’s not known as a big-time scorer.
The preseason didn’t do much to ease those worries. Hyland remained inconsistent and had trouble scoring inside the arc.
Shannon struggled when he shared the floor with the starters, with his limited right hand, shaky control as a driver, and defensive lapses all standing out. Clark had a strong preseason finale, but beyond that he didn’t do much offensively, and he didn’t play much either.
Minnesota’s starting group is good enough to carry a lot, but that only works if the bench gives them something dependable. Right now, that doesn’t look like a sure thing.
Then there’s the physical side of the equation.
The LaMelo Ball trade drew criticism from people who worried about his lack of interest in playing through contact, especially with two key frontcourt players also out of the picture. That concern felt overblown to me, but it’s still worth watching.
Preseason showed that opponents are going to get after Ball with hard pressure and physical defense. That can take away his perimeter shot and make it tougher for him to get downhill.
With the Wolves short on playmaking beyond him, and with the defensive style of teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder in the mix, that’s a real issue. The rebounding numbers raised another flag too, with Minnesota finishing 28th in rebounds per game.
There are ways to manage it. Gobert remains an elite rebounder, and the team’s athleticism could help offset some of the size concerns up front.
It’s also fair to say that Kuminga and Beringer look like a better defensive pairing than Randle and Reid. Even so, the Wolves’ ability to handle pressure and hold their own on the boards will be two of the most important things to track with this new identity.
In Other News...
Jaylen Clark Just Made Minnesotas Rotation Decision A Lot Tougher
Jaylen Clark gave the Timberwolves something to think about in their preseason finale, turning in his best offensive showing of the exhibition slate with 18 points and a better-looking stroke from beyond the arc. For a player trying to carve out a real role, it was the kind of game that can matter in a crowded room, especially on a roster where every small edge counts heading into the regular season.
Still, one hot night does not settle Minnesotas back-end rotation picture. Clark remains in the mix for limited minutes, but his offensive consistency is still under the microscope, and the coaching staff has other options to weigh as it sorts out the final spots in the regular-season rotation. The next decision will say a lot about how much trust the Wolves are ready to place in him early on. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Still Have One Roster Call That Could Stir Debate
The Timberwolves have one two-way spot to sort out after moving on from Enrique Freeman, and the decision could shape the back end of the roster in a meaningful way. Drew Timme remains a familiar name in the mix after spending time with the team, and he stands out as an appealing option because of his offense and the comfort level that comes with already knowing the organization.
Minnesota is still weighing its choices, and the next few days should clarify which direction it wants to go with that final opening. Timme is an obvious candidate if the Wolves want a player who can provide scoring upside, but there are multiple options still under consideration, leaving this as one of those quiet roster decisions that can still stir plenty of debate. [Read more 🡒]
Stan Van Gundy Casts Doubt On Timberwolves New Gamble Around Ant
Stan Van Gundy is not buying the idea that Minnesotas offseason splash has vaulted the Timberwolves into the top tier of the Western Conference. The front office brought in LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga to give Anthony Edwards more help, a clear bet on upgrading the backcourt and adding another layer of creation around a star who is pushing to get to his first NBA title.
There has been some early preseason offense to like, but the bigger question is whether the roster has enough defensive depth and playoff toughness to make the jump from good to truly threatening. Minnesota still has to prove it can hang with the leagues best over a full season, and Van Gundys skepticism is a reminder that adding talent around Edwards does not automatically close the gap. [Read more 🡒]