Is Naz Reid planning on leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer?
Reid has one more year left on his three-year, nearly $42 million rookie extension that he signed two summers ago. However, next season is a player option for the 25-year, and according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, he is expected to decline it.
“Reid has a $15 million option that many around the league expect last season’s Sixth Man of the Year to decline,” Fischer wrote.
NBA Rumors: What Would Losing Young Big Man Mean In Free Agency Mean For Wolves, And Potential Suitors
If Reid does indeed decline his player option, he will be an unrestricted free agent. A highly coveted free agent at that.
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton ranked Reid as the No. 17th best potential available free agent this summer. Reid, the 2024 NBA 6th Man of the Year, would be one of the most talented and versatile offensive bigs on the market. He increased his production this season and was an extremely valuable rotation player off the Wolves bench.
Reid set career-highs in several categories while compiling 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. The 6-9 264-pound center excels around the rim while also becoming a reliable 3-point marksman. He took half his shots from beyond the arc this season, knocking down 2.9 threes at a 37.9% clip.
Reid is a good passer for a man of his size and has shown improvement defensively. Reid is a decent defensive rebounder and rim protector. He posted 10 double-doubles and 19 20-point contests, including one 30-point contest.
While the expectation is that Reid will decline his player option, it is not a foregone conclusion. Reid has the end of the month to make a decision.
Naz Reid Willing To Remain In Minnesota?
Reid has said that he is comfortable in Minnesota, and remaining with the Wolves is not out of the realm of possibilities. So, if that is the case, why opt out?
The easy answer is that Reid wants financial security. Reid has played exceptionally well over the last three seasons, so there is no better time than the present to get rewarded. Just entering his prime, it would be surprised if he didn’t continue to improve. But it is sports that we are talking about, so anything can happen.
Reid also indicated that he could opt out of his deal to find a team willing to give him a starting job.
“Yes, 100 percent. 100 percent,” Reid said a few days ago, whether he viewed himself as a starter. “But sometimes, if you want to be in a winning position, you might have to sacrifice. I definitely view myself as a starter.”
There lies the problem for Reid and the Wolves. The Wolves appear unlikely to remove either Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle from the starting lineup.
Is Reid Better Suited To Be A Starter Or Reserve?
“Reid has had a major impact as a third big man, but he probably would be stretched defensively as a starter,” Pelton said. That and the lack of cap space should help the Timberwolves navigate Reid’s $15 million player option. The sides could agree to exercise the option then build a long-term extension off it to keep the fan favorite in Minnesota.”
Reid has demonstrated the ability to be a quality starter despite having spent most of his career coming off the bench. While the Timberwolves have just a 43% in Reid’s 74 career starts, they are 19-12 over the last two seasons with him in the starting five.
The truth is Reid hasn’t been much more effective as a starter than when coming off the bench. Really, the only real difference is that he has shown to be a better rebounder with the first unit than when coming off the bench. However, he hasn’t been as efficient.
Timberwolves 2025 Salary Cap Situation
It is possible that if Reid opts into the final year of his contract, worth $15.02 million, he and the Wolves could work out a contract extension. While it is unlikely that the Wolves will keep Reid unless they move on from Randle, they could agree to a sign-and-trade after an opt-out. Minnesota owns Reid’s Bird Rights, meaning the Timberwolves can pay him more than anyone else.
Like Reid, Randle has a player option for the 2025-26 campaign. Randle’s player option is worth $30.93 million. It is unlikely that Randle will decline his player option.
As it stands now, Minnesota has 13 players under contract with a salary cap hit of $192. 322 million. That puts the Timberwolves over the luxury tax threshold for 2025-25. It also means that the Wolves are $3.6 million below the first tax line and $12.08 million from the second apron.
The bigger problem for Minnesota is the future. The Timberwolves are already projected to be over the cap for the 2026-27 season. So, keeping Reid and Randle past this season would be a “death sentence” for the franchise.
If Reid does exercise his right to opt out, it would free up $15 million in cap room. That would allow the Wolves to at least temporarily fall below the luxury tax. More importantly, Reid’s departure would likely ensure the Wolves wouldn’t surpass the second apron for a second consecutive season.
Theoretically, with Reid out of the picture, Minnesota would have $27 million this season to fill a minimum of two roster spots. The Timberwolves do not have a draft pick in 2025.
Minnesota also wouldn’t necessarily have to spend that money on a big. As Luka Garza, who could be a poor man’s Naz Reid, is in the wings. Garza hasn’t received a lot of NBA runs, but he has shown his ability in the G-League. Another option for the Wolves would be Jesse Edwards, who was on a two-way deal with the Wolves this season.
Minnesota’s biggest off-season need is to find a point guard. The Wolves likely hope that Rob Dillingham will eventually take the reigns. However, 37-year-old Mike Conley is no longer a starter and is the only link to the Wolves’ starting unit.
Potential Suitors For Timberwolves’ Naz Reid
It is way too early to know for sure how the market will shake out, although NBA Insider Marc Stein has already said that the Detroit Pistons would definitely be interested in the New Jersey native.
Reid makes sense for the Pistons. He would give Detroit something Jalen Duren or Isaiah Stewart don’t, which is consistent offensive production and a big who can stretch the floor. Stewart has improved his three-point shooting, although he is a much lower-volume shooter than Reid. Also, Stewart has had a difficult time staying healthy.
Detroit projects to have over $27 million in cap space available this summer. The Pistons, who have just a second-round selection this year, have 10 players under contract for 2025-26.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards are among the other potential suitors.
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