A PAIR of big men were added to the Minnesota Timberwolves over the off-season, with the championship contenders smartly using their selections at the 2025 NBA Draft in Chicago last month.

The Timberwolves were again dangerous throughout the playoffs, coming from the sixth seed to reach the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. They were convincingly bested by the eventual champions in the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it was another promising demonstration that Minnesota is still right in the window for its first title.

The Timberwolves also prepared for the future with a pair of promising frontcourt additions at the 2025 intake, making a selection in both rounds and even adding an exciting Aussie.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Drafted Players

Joan Beringer (pick 17), Rocco Zikarsky (pick 45)

The Timberwolves achieved their goal of planning for life after Rudy Gobert at the NBA Draft by adding a central point for their frontcourt in the first round, as well as a raw Aussie prospect on the second night of proceedings.

Beringer was selected by Minnesota at pick 17, with the French big man capable of anchoring the team’s defence in the future. Obviously the Timberwolves have Gobert and Julius Randle occupying that side of things currently, but their first round selection will be crucial in the future.

Standing an impressive frame of nearly seven feet tall, Beringer boasts an impressive wingspan and overall excellent upside, and while he may take some developing before he can truly tap into his potential, the Timberwolves can afford to wait, but he can play a role with the current roster too.

Offensively, he operates best as a screener, roller and rim runner, able to score at the basket and make his presence felt when driving inside, making the most of his wingspan. Beringer will benefit most from pairing with talented guards, and the Timberwolves have that in Anthony Edwards and Rob Dillingham.

Defensively, he is extremely versatile and is capable of switching out onto the opposition on the perimeter if needed. He is extremely reliable as a rim protector too, and seems the natural successor to Gobert as the center of the future, and it will benefit Beringer to learn from the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

With their second selection, the Timberwolves picked up Aussie big man Zikarsky with the 45th overall pick, taking a punt on a center who was once considered a top-10 selection and may be a draft steal if he can return to that potential.

Playing two seasons for the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL as a Next Star, he will immediately become the second tallest player in the NBA at seven-foot-four, and has put on some size since his last game, which is a huge positive for him.

Although he may be stashed overseas to develop in the first few years of his career having signed a two-way contract, Zikarsky may be a valuable long-term play for the Timberwolves if he can improve his perimeter defence and overall speed.

Minnesota has boosted its frontcourt stocks for the future with two strong selections at the 2025 NBA Draft, with Beringer in particular set to play a key role in what could be the franchise’s first championship team.