Naz Reid, the Minnesota Timberwolves unsung hero of last season, just took a huge stand. Most notably, he made the choice to turn down a $15 million player option for next season. Instead, he’s about to sign a five-year, $125 million contract to stay with the team. This decision is especially notable given how competitive this decision has been. Other teams expressed interest in Reid, often with comparable financial packages and starting positions.
At 25 years old, Reid has developed into an important player for the Timberwolves. He is best known for guiding the team to the Western Conference finals in consecutive seasons. His ability to stretch the floor as a prolific three-point shooter has freed up space and driving lanes in Minnesota’s half-court attack. After spending last season as a bench player, he posted a career-best 14.2 points per game. He additionally snatched 6.0 boards in only 27.5 MPG.
Reid’s defensive showings went by largely unnoticed, as the former undrafted sparkplug in his sixth man role won the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year. And obviously, when given a real opportunity to step into a starting role, he truly shined, averaging 18.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in 17 starts. He’s one of just three players in the league to score 2,000+ points off the bench in the last three seasons. This incredible accomplishment speaks to his ability to change the game from his position on the court.
Reid came to the Timberwolves in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of LSU. Since then, he has given his all for the organization over his six-year NBA career. In 2023, he signed a new three-year, $42 million dollar contract. It had a player option for this summer, but he declined it yesterday to go in the other direction with a longer commitment.
Perhaps most notable are Reid’s shooting skills. That’s significant because last season he was one of only three forward/centers to average at least 5.8 three-point attempts per game. His percentage from deep has been outstanding, hitting an even 39.5% over the past two seasons combined. This specific ability not only makes him a better player, but a much more valuable player to the success of the team at large.
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