The Minnesota Timberwolves have been one of the NBA’s most intriguing teams this season, but there’s a glaring issue that could come back to bite them when the games really start to matter: the Julius Randle-Naz Reid defensive pairing. On paper, the duo brings a lot to the table-offensively, they’re productive, and the team holds a solid +5.4 net rating when they share the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass.
But dig a little deeper, and the concern becomes clear: a 119.6 defensive rating, which lands them in the 20th percentile league-wide. That’s a major red flag, especially for a team with championship aspirations.
The core of the problem? These minutes typically come when Rudy Gobert is off the floor.
And without their elite anchor in the paint, Minnesota’s defense has struggled to hold up-particularly when Randle and Reid are tasked with protecting the rim. Neither is known for their rim deterrence, and when they’re paired together, the Wolves lose the interior backbone that Gobert provides.
So, what’s the fix? Head coach Chris Finch has some work to do before the postseason rolls around, but the good news is that this isn’t an unsolvable riddle. There are paths forward-ones that don’t require a complete overhaul, just some strategic tweaks.
One adjustment that makes a lot of sense: surround Randle and Reid with elite point-of-attack defenders. Enter Jaden McDaniels and Jaylen Clark.
When those two share the floor with Randle and Reid, the Wolves have posted a 109.4 defensive rating across 135 possessions. That’s not just an improvement-it’s a number that ranks in the 89th percentile.
McDaniels, in particular, offers some rim protection from the wing, which gives the Wolves a bit more defensive versatility in non-Gobert lineups.
Now, with the recent addition of Ayo Dosunmu, Finch has another tool at his disposal. Dosunmu brings a blend of perimeter defense and offensive capability that could be the missing link.
While Clark has shown strong defensive instincts, Finch has been cautious about giving him extended minutes. Dosunmu, on the other hand, brings more offensive polish, which makes it easier to justify his presence in key stretches.
And while it’s still early, the early returns are promising. In just 23 possessions with Dosunmu and McDaniels flanking Randle and Reid, the Wolves have posted a stingy 95.5 defensive rating. Sure, it’s a small sample, but it’s the kind of result that should make Finch take notice.
That four-man unit-Dosunmu, McDaniels, Randle, and Reid-feels like the most straightforward solution for stabilizing those non-Gobert minutes. But there’s another, more unconventional route the Wolves could explore: Joan Beringer.
Beringer hasn’t logged many minutes this season, but when he’s been on the floor, he’s shown flashes. The challenge is finding time for him in an already crowded frontcourt.
One potential workaround? Go big.
Really big. Play Beringer alongside Randle and Reid, essentially sliding Reid into a small forward role.
It’s a bold move, and it comes with obvious concerns-Reid doesn’t exactly have the lateral quickness to chase wings around the perimeter. And yes, the early results from this jumbo lineup haven’t been good.
But the theory behind it-adding a natural rim protector to the Randle-Reid minutes-is sound. At the very least, it’s an option worth testing in controlled stretches.
Ultimately, the Timberwolves don’t need to reinvent the wheel here. They just need to patch the holes that appear when Gobert sits.
Randle and Reid can absolutely be part of a winning formula, but only if they’re supported by the right defensive infrastructure. Whether that’s Dosunmu and McDaniels, or a more experimental look with Beringer, the key is finding the right balance.
With the playoffs looming, Finch’s ability to fine-tune these combinations could be a deciding factor in how far Minnesota goes. The offense is already there. If the defense can catch up-especially in those non-Gobert minutes-this Wolves team becomes a whole lot scarier.