Timberwolves Draft Young Centers Amid NBA Viewership Drop

The 2025 NBA Draft featured the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting 18-year-old French center Joan Beringer and Australian prospect Rocco Zikarsky, signaling a strategic shift in their roster development. The team's decisions hint at a move away from veteran reliance, particularly on Rudy Gobert. NBA Draft viewership declined significantly, with this year's audience averaging just under 2.6 million viewers, among the lowest on record. As NBA free agency opens, the Timberwolves face financial challenges, including Naz Reid’s $125 million contract and potential departures of Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. In the NHL, Matthew Schaefer was the top draft pick for 2025, with recent top picks making notable rookie impacts. Broader trends in sports media, including shifts in audience measurement and broadcast strategies, continue to affect viewership across leagues.