Minnesota Sports Forum

We know that Naz, DDV, and Shannon are part of Finch's "starting 8". Here is how I'd rank the next nine slots based on pre-season play, last season's body of work, and positional needs/floor balance.

Underneath each player is their Per 36 Minutes points/assists/rebounds/steals/blocks/TOs/FG%/3PT%/FT% during the pre-season.

#9 - Jaylen Clark
9.0 pts/1.7 assts/3.9 rebs/1.1 stls/.6 blks/1.1 TOs/31%/25%/100%

#10 - Rob Dillingham
17.8 pts/9.8 assts/2.5 rebs/1.3 stls/0.0 blks/3.8 TOs/45%/47%/63%

#11 - Joan Beringer
13.7 pts/.9 assts/9.0 rebs/.6 stls/2.6 blks/.9 TOs/64%/n.a./50%

#12 - Johnny Juzang (Two-Way)
28.2 pts/.8 assts/8.6 rebs/1.2 stls/.8 blks/2.4 TOs/50%/48%/83%

#13 - Bones Hyland
17.4 pts/5.6 assts/5.9 rebs/2.6 stls/.7 blks/2.6 TOs/41%/44%/88%

#14 - Joe Ingles
(only played in one pre-season game)

#15 - Leonard Miller
20.6 pts/3.2 assts/10.0 rebs/1.6 stls/.5 blks/3.7 TOs/70%/67%/100%

#16 - Rocco Zikarsky (Two-Way)
16.9 pts/2.4 assts/8.9 rebs/1.4 stls/1.4 blks/1.9TOs/59%/33%/75%

#17 - Enrique Freeman (Two-way)
11.9 pts/.6 assts/8.5 rebs/0.0 stls/0.0 blks/1.2 TOs/58%/60%/75%

Very good post, Q, and I largely agree with your rankings. I entirely agree with your 1-8 guys, and I would offer only one amendment with the next guys. I think Finchy will go with mostly a 9-man rotation, and the 9th man will be dependent upon need. While I like Clark more than Rob right now, I have them tied at #9...if we need defense, Finchy goes with Clark, other wise he goes with Rob. And while I think Joan needs much more seasoning, I also have him at 11 because there will be nights where a center might be needed over a guard.

FNG wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 7:35 pm Very good post, Q, and I largely agree with your rankings. I entirely agree with your 1-8 guys, and I would offer only one amendment with the next guys. I think Finchy will go with mostly a 9-man rotation, and the 9th man will be dependent upon need. While I like Clark more than Rob right now, I have them tied at #9...if we need defense, Finchy goes with Clark, other wise he goes with Rob. And while I think Joan needs much more seasoning, I also have him at 11 because there will be nights where a center might be needed over a guard.

Yeah, I think Finch may ultimately give Dillingham the steadier minutes over Clark since an offensive-oriented player like him needs reps and decent-length stints to get into a rythym and "feel" the game. Whereas Clark's effectiveness isn't really impacted by how long his stints are or whether he plays both halves or every other game, etc.

The other thing I will say about Dillingham is that he has made tangible year-over-year progress, albeit still very shaky at times out there. His assist and scoring/shooting numbers jump off the page a bit....so do his turnovers.

And you're right on Joan. I'd rank Lenny Miller above him in terms of pure readiness to contribute to a generic NBA team. But we already have plenty of what Lenny has to offer. Beringer is a true Center that clearly understands his role as a defensive anchor, screener, and lob threat. He almost never makes the wrong play, as evidenced by his low turnover rate.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 9:15 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 7:35 pm Very good post, Q, and I largely agree with your rankings. I entirely agree with your 1-8 guys, and I would offer only one amendment with the next guys. I think Finchy will go with mostly a 9-man rotation, and the 9th man will be dependent upon need. While I like Clark more than Rob right now, I have them tied at #9...if we need defense, Finchy goes with Clark, other wise he goes with Rob. And while I think Joan needs much more seasoning, I also have him at 11 because there will be nights where a center might be needed over a guard.

Yeah, I think Finch may ultimately give Dillingham the steadier minutes over Clark since an offensive-oriented player like him needs reps and decent-length stints to get into a rythym and "feel" the game. Whereas Clark's effectiveness isn't really impacted by how long his stints are or whether he plays both halves or every other game, etc.

The other thing I will say about Dillingham is that he has made tangible year-over-year progress, albeit still very shaky at times out there. His assist and scoring/shooting numbers jump off the page a bit....so do his turnovers.

And you're right on Joan. I'd rank Lenny Miller above him in terms of pure readiness to contribute to a generic NBA team. But we already have plenty of what Lenny has to offer. Beringer is a true Center that clearly understands his role as a defensive anchor, screener, and lob threat. He almost never makes the wrong play, as evidenced by his low turnover rate.

I do think we could see Joan for pretty decent minutes. I imagine at some point Rudy will miss multiple games, maybe a 10-15 game stint (knock on wood he stays healthy) and thus the need for a defensive big who can hustle and rebound willl be valuable.

When I see Joan I sort of think about Vando, plays a similar type of ball but even potentially much more effective and versatile. Be aggressive, contest shots, defend and hit the boards, lob dunks, etc...

Obviously a much higher ceiling for Joan and true 5 versus more of a 4 like Vando, we'll see how he turns out. I'm stoked we picked him up. I think the fans will really like him. Nice hands too!

Interestingly, NAZ noted that he expects to be "the veteran with the young guys" at times on the court (I assume this has been a conversation with Finch). That suggests that there will be regular stints of NAZ on the floor without Rudy or Julius. So, in those stints, who is NAZ's partner in the frontcourt?

The most obvious one would be Jaden McDaniels, although he just as much a veteran as NAZ. It could be stints with Shannon at 4. Or maybe there are times it is Joan. It'll be an interest thing watch.

On a side note: Donte, with 2 years left on his contract, is eligible for an extension. But I believe the deadline for an extension is today. I am sure they have had some conversations, but I don't expect anything to happen. Especially from Donte's perspective -- he's coming off a so-so season that was a transition year. Why not wait another year to see if your performance can improve and be in a better bargaining position next offseason?

Maybe this isn’t the topic to ask the question, but would we rather have Joan play in Iowa much of the season this year to get experience, or stay up and practice with the team and get limited playing time? I think I lean to Iowa, but what do you fellas think?

Sundog wrote: ↑Mon Oct 20, 2025 4:53 pm Maybe this isn’t the topic to ask the question, but would we rather have Joan play in Iowa much of the season this year to get experience, or stay up and practice with the team and get limited playing time? I think I lean to Iowa, but what do you fellas think?

Dog, I think he should probably do a little bit of both. But I believe he is going to be needed quite a bit to cover for the injuries that will invariably happen. But early in the season he should probably get some time in Iowa.

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 20, 2025 6:11 pm

Sundog wrote: ↑Mon Oct 20, 2025 4:53 pm Maybe this isn’t the topic to ask the question, but would we rather have Joan play in Iowa much of the season this year to get experience, or stay up and practice with the team and get limited playing time? I think I lean to Iowa, but what do you fellas think?

Dog, I think he should probably do a little bit of both. But I believe he is going to be needed quite a bit to cover for the injuries that will invariably happen. But early in the season he should probably get some time in Iowa.

I agree with cool. I know the G league has gotten better at development but Finch keeps taking about Berigner has no bad habits because he is new to basketball. I don’t think the wolves want him down in Iowa long term picking up bad habits against guys trying to scratch and claw there way into the league

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 20, 2025 2:50 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 9:15 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 7:35 pm Very good post, Q, and I largely agree with your rankings. I entirely agree with your 1-8 guys, and I would offer only one amendment with the next guys. I think Finchy will go with mostly a 9-man rotation, and the 9th man will be dependent upon need. While I like Clark more than Rob right now, I have them tied at #9...if we need defense, Finchy goes with Clark, other wise he goes with Rob. And while I think Joan needs much more seasoning, I also have him at 11 because there will be nights where a center might be needed over a guard.

Yeah, I think Finch may ultimately give Dillingham the steadier minutes over Clark since an offensive-oriented player like him needs reps and decent-length stints to get into a rythym and "feel" the game. Whereas Clark's effectiveness isn't really impacted by how long his stints are or whether he plays both halves or every other game, etc.

The other thing I will say about Dillingham is that he has made tangible year-over-year progress, albeit still very shaky at times out there. His assist and scoring/shooting numbers jump off the page a bit....so do his turnovers.

And you're right on Joan. I'd rank Lenny Miller above him in terms of pure readiness to contribute to a generic NBA team. But we already have plenty of what Lenny has to offer. Beringer is a true Center that clearly understands his role as a defensive anchor, screener, and lob threat. He almost never makes the wrong play, as evidenced by his low turnover rate.

I do think we could see Joan for pretty decent minutes. I imagine at some point Rudy will miss multiple games, maybe a 10-15 game stint (knock on wood he stays healthy) and thus the need for a defensive big who can hustle and rebound willl be valuable.

When I see Joan I sort of think about Vando, plays a similar type of ball but even potentially much more effective and versatile. Be aggressive, contest shots, defend and hit the boards, lob dunks, etc...

Obviously a much higher ceiling for Joan and true 5 versus more of a 4 like Vando, we'll see how he turns out. I'm stoked we picked him up. I think the fans will really like him. Nice hands too!

The one area I was pretty disappointed in Joan during the pre-season is his rebounding. A true Center with his level of athleticism, hands, and size should be able to coral more rebounds than he did.

kekgeek wrote: ↑Mon Oct 20, 2025 7:07 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 20, 2025 6:11 pm

Sundog wrote: ↑Mon Oct 20, 2025 4:53 pm Maybe this isn’t the topic to ask the question, but would we rather have Joan play in Iowa much of the season this year to get experience, or stay up and practice with the team and get limited playing time? I think I lean to Iowa, but what do you fellas think?

Dog, I think he should probably do a little bit of both. But I believe he is going to be needed quite a bit to cover for the injuries that will invariably happen. But early in the season he should probably get some time in Iowa.

I agree with cool. I know the G league has gotten better at development but Finch keeps taking about Berigner has no bad habits because he is new to basketball. I don’t think the wolves want him down in Iowa long term picking up bad habits against guys trying to scratch and claw there way into the league

I can see him going to the G-League if the bigs ahead of him in the rotation stay healthy and he needs a couple of games in order to be involved in some real competion (vs. just the "stay in shape" league). Dillingham and Shannon went down for a couple of games here and there last season when there were long stretches they weren't in the rotation.

But otherwise I agree he won't be down there for more than just a cup of coffee. Rocco will definitely spend a lot of time down there. Rocco has some burgeoning offensive skills and I could see Iowa using him as a hub in their offense with lots of actions run through him.