Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the team, staying in Minnesota for the foreseeable future.
Reid will earn $25 million per season during the deal, though his contract does come as a surprise.
The Timberwolves were facing payroll issues since Reid and Julius Randle were set to be free agents. The team faced difficulties committing long-term money to both, though Reid is now secured heading into the season.
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Reid had a $15 million player option left on his deal that could have made him a free agent in 2026, when teams will have significantly more cap space.
The center could have netted more money if he had accepted his player option and had another season of high-level production, though there was a risk that his value would be negatively impacted.
Instead, he chose to stay with the team that drafted him and secure his long-term financial future.
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The former LSU product won the 2023-2024 Sixth Man of the Year. Reid had a career year during last season, averaging 14.2 points per game and six rebounds in 27.5 minutes.
Reid is still only 25 years old, leaving the Wolves with the early half of the center’s prime.
He is an ultra-valuable floor-spacing center who can rebound at a high level and make room for Anthony Edwards to operate in the paint.
Reid provides a good change of pace over Gobert, who is a non-shooter that defends well, but operates in the paint on offense.
On the other hand, Reid’s defense is at replacement level, able to hold his own, although still limited when guarding out on the perimeter and with rim protection.
He shot 37.9 percent from the 3-point line on 5.8 attempts per game over the last season, cementing himself as a top shooting big man.
Julius Randle’s future remains uncertain since he hasn’t yet decided on his player option.
Since the Timberwolves fell short of the NBA Finals, the team might shake up its roster and move on from Randle.
Regardless of what happens with Randle, Reid’s future in Minnesota is set.
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