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Yahoo Sports’ Draft Live crew reacts to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ selection of Cedevita Olímpija big Joan Beringer with the 17th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Johan Beringer really interesting pick for here for Minnesota.
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It makes you wonder about what the plan is with some of their other bigs on the roster.
Rudy Gobert, of course, free agent as a free agent, Julius Randall also has, I believe, a player option for next season as well, so they draft a high upside rawig here in Baranje 18 years old, he’s French, 6’10, 75 wingspan, dunks literally everything, everything around the basket like.
That’s what he does.
So with French big men, can he catch the ball?
He can catch the ball.
I think he’s got good hands.
I, I, I think he’s very coordinated.
You see that on defense as well with his switchability.
Barringer is a rim protector.
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You see the the blocked shots.
You see the versatility on defense.
The, the reason why teams are impressed with him and why he’s grown and moved up some draft boards is because of how quickly he’s gotten better, improving it, fouling on defense, showing improvement from the free throw line, still has a long way to go.
He was more of a 50.
55% guy from the line hackable from the free throw line, but for Minnesota high up side pick, modern style on defense with his switchability and so for Minnesota to me it just raises more questions, Vinny like what does this mean after Colbert was involved in trade talks?
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Does this mean like they could be moves to come from Minnesota even though they didn’t get KD?
That’s where I’m like fascinated by this choice.
Look, you, you look at where this team has gone the past two years, game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
And you’re wondering, OK, Anthony Edwards making that next step.
Jayden McDaniels is a Kawhi Light type of ballplayer.
If you got your wing spot sewn up and you’re not sure what’s gonna happen with Julius Randall with that player option, right?
How do you view him?
How does he view the franchise?
Rudy Gobert is 32, 33 years old.
Like his, won’t say his best years are behind him.
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He still got good defensive years in front of him.
But sometimes you have to start looking forward and figuring out when Rudy’s contract is up, we have someone to step in and have a similar type of effect.
Yeah, I, I’d argue that outside of Molly watch Barringer is Baron J is the best defensive big in this draft class.
I mean, I mean the way that he protects the rim, he’s ultra aggressive.
I mean, I think sometimes he gets out of position due to his aggression.
But I think when you talk about athleticism and you talk about his rim protection, you talk about what he brings to the table, who better to learn to learn from than one of the best rim protecting bigs in the league and if they get rid of Frudy Gobert, and they move on from him, he can step in and fill that role.
It’s not gonna be as effective immediately, of course.
He has some learning to do, but his upside is through the roof, and I really like this young man.
