The NBA remains an ever-changing landscape. It seems like there’s news every day about a player being unhappy in their current situation with a team, potentially opting out of their contract, or requesting a trade.
This unpredictable nature of the league provides entertainment, but for some fanbases, it can be hard to accept that one of your team’s cornerstone players could potentially be exiting the team.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves fanbase, they might soon know what that feels like.
Naz Reid Expected To Enter Free Agency
Timberwolves forward/center Naz Reid is expected to opt out of his $15,022,464 contract this summer and enter free agency, per Jake Fischer.
“Reid, who is the league’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year for a few more months, possesses a $15 million player option for 2025-26 that many of those same strategists expect he’ll decline in search of a richer arrangement in the summer.”
Reid, who has been a bright spot for Minnesota the last few seasons, currently boasts averages of 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 48.2% from the field.
Reid was crowned the Sixth Man Of The Year for the 2023 season, and he’s been a huge piece of Minnesota’s offense during the 2024 season, stepping into a starting role for the last 10 games.
As a starter in those last 10 games, Reid has averaged 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, closer to All-Star numbers than sixth-man numbers. Could Reid seek a starting job elsewhere, or will Minnesota have to adjust?
Potential Landing Spots if Reid Leaves the Timberwolves
The idea of Reid leaving the Timberwolves seems hard to grasp, especially since he’s become a reliable option and piece for the team.
If Reid opts out in search of a larger contract, the Timberwolves would likely want to keep him, but if he isn’t looking to stay with the team, there will be several suitors vying for his talents.
As always, some teams could use a solid scoring big man, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, the Detroit Pistons, and many others. The type of contract Reid seeks will play a major role in free agency, though, and could give the Timberwolves an issue keeping him. With Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Reid on the same team, minute distribution could become an issue if Reid seeks a larger role.
Could the Sixth Man of the Year want the starting center position? Would you choose Reid over Randle or Gobert? There are so many questions that Reid and the Timberwolves both have to answer this offseason.
