Timberwolves Are Taking A Risk With Their Center Depth This Season
Oct 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) guards New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Source: Lastwordonsports.com – Benjamin Yu, Editor
The Minnesota Timberwolves have enough talent to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference. However, one injury or a stretch of foul trouble could expose a problem that is difficult to fix during a game.
Minnesota no longer has Naz Reid behind Rudy Gobert, and its replacement options are still learning how to handle NBA competition.
The 2027 Timberwolves Have Significant Questions Around Their Center Depth
Rudy Gobert Carries A Heavy Load
The biggest concern starts with Gobert’s workload. The veteran center played 76 games last season and averaged 31.3 minutes per game. He also recorded 11.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, giving Minnesota a reliable presence around the basket. His defensive value is even clearer when looking at the team’s numbers with him on the floor.
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the Timberwolves’ defensive rating was nearly eight points better with Gobert playing than when he sat last season. That is a significant gap for a team trying to remain among the Western Conference contenders.
Minnesota finished eighth in defensive rating overall, allowing 113.5 points per 100 possessions. The team was good defensively, but its dependence on Gobert was clear. Gobert has been durable since arriving in Minnesota, playing at least 70 games in each of his four seasons with the team.
That track record helps, but it does not remove the risk. He is 34, and the Timberwolves still need someone who can protect the paint when he is not available.
Timberwolves Have Little Experience Behind Rudy Gobert
The problem is what comes next on the depth chart for Chris Finch’s lineups. Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky are expected to handle much of the backup center work, but the two young big men entered this season with only 350 combined NBA minutes.
Neither has proved that he can consistently handle a major role against experienced starting centers.
Beringer appeared in 40 games last season, averaging just 7.9 minutes and 2.3 rebounds. Zikarsky played five games and averaged 7.2 minutes. Those numbers do not mean either player lacks potential. They show how little NBA experience Minnesota has behind its starting center.
The Timberwolves may give Beringer a bigger role this season, which Finch warns can highlight challenges for Beringer, but it could help his development. Still, expecting a young player to move from limited minutes to reliable defensive production is a considerable gamble for a team with playoff ambitions.
Oct 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shields the ball from Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Joan Beringer (19) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Losing Naz Reid Made This Harder
Trading Reid created another problem for Minnesota’s frontcourt. He played 77 games last season, averaging 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game.
He gave the team a proven option who could play center when Gobert rested and provide offense without requiring the same defensive structure.
Gobert averaged 11.5 rebounds per game, while Reid added 6.2 rebounds. Their combined production gave Minnesota two experienced big men who could help control the glass. Now, those minutes and responsibilities need to be redistributed among younger players and smaller lineups.
Minnesota can use Trey Lyles or other forwards in certain matchups, but that is not the same as having another established center. Smaller lineups may work against some opponents, yet bigger teams can attack the paint and challenge the Timberwolves on the boards.
Timberwolves’ Defense Needs Reliable Depth
The issue may not become obvious in every game. It could appear when Gobert picks up early fouls, faces a difficult matchup, or needs extra rest during a demanding stretch of the schedule. Those are normal parts of an NBA season, which is why reliable depth matters.
If Beringer develops quickly, Minnesota may have enough options to manage the problem. However, if he struggles with fouls or physical matchups, the coaching staff could be forced to change its defensive approach.
That would put more pressure on the perimeter defenders to stop drives and help around the rim.
The Last Word
The Timberwolves are not guaranteed to struggle without Gobert, but their margin for error is smaller after losing Reid. Gobert remains the foundation of their interior defense, and the numbers show how much the team benefits from his presence.
Beringer and Zikarsky may become dependable options, yet neither has enough NBA experience to make that outcome certain. If Minnesota wants to remain a strong defensive team throughout the season, its young centers will need to contribute sooner rather than later.
Featured Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.