Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid is currently one of the most sought-after players in the league. With the combination of versatile ball-handling skills and shot-making ability, Reid is one of the most effective big men in the game today.
Reid’s current contract situation with Minnesota sees the center in a position to exercise a player option worth $15 million. Considering the amount of attention he is receiving from other teams, Reid would be dramatically undervalued if he were to exercise the player option. In light of this, it is quite likely that he will decline the offer and test free agency.
With the Timberwolves center most likely on his way out of Minnesota, several teams will be vying for a big man with his skill set, a few of which will even have their eyes on contending for the title next season.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have been a franchise in a state of flux over the past few seasons. Having made some questionable moves after breaking up their superteam, the Nets have been working towards rebuilding their team from the ground up.
In light of this, the Nets had one of the worst performances in the NBA last season and find themselves in a position to land a lottery pick in the upcoming draft. With hopes of landing a player like Cooper Flagg, Brooklyn will certainly look to surround their “star” rookie with other talented veterans.
Naz Reid emerges as a great big man option. The Nets have a lot of free cap space and could offer the 28-year-old center a sizeable contract that Minnesota would have a tough time matching. Given Reid’s value in the current context, he would certainly benefit from making such a move.
Reid would also bring a lot of flexibility to the Nets. Paired alongside the likes of Nicolas Claxton and Cameron Johnson, the Nets could feature an incredibly mobile and long frontcourt unit in their starting rotation.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons currently look like one of the most promising young teams in the NBA. Led by a franchise player in Cade Cunningham, the Pistons feature some talented players on their roster and look to be a team that is primed to contend for a title.
The Pistons would benefit from pursuing a player such as Naz Reid. They currently feature a very solid defensive big man in Jalen Duren in their starting rotation. Pairing him and Reid could prove to be quite an effective combination.
Reid’s ability to stretch the floor pairs well with Duren’s inside presence as a lob threat. By pairing his skill set with Cunningham’s playmaking ability, the Pistons would suddenly have an incredibly balanced starting five with solid defensive integrity as well.
Detroit also benefits from having a large amount of cap space heading into the offseason. With enough latitude to go after Reid, the Pistons could do wonders by adding a big man of his caliber to the roster.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls were a largely underwhelming team this season. After clearing the house by trading Zach LaVine to Sacramento, the Bulls are embracing a rebuild in the upcoming season.
As things stand, the Bulls have a talented young player with star potential in Matas Buzelis playing alongside several veteran big men who haven’t been significant contributors. In this scenario, barring Nikola Vucevic, Chicago could consider clearing up their roster to open up even more cap space to make a run at some quality rotation players. In light of this, they have the necessary resources to make a run for Naz Reid.
Reid could benefit from being on the Bulls roster. His ability to stretch the floor pairs well with Vucevic’s versatile offensive style. Meanwhile, he would also be on the receiving end of some great outlet passes by players such as Lonzo Ball.
Signing Reid would only be one step in the Bulls’ overall rebuilding process. However, the addition of a center of his caliber would certainly draw more interest from other players in the league as well.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have been one of the best teams in the regular season. Unfortunately, it has been made abundantly clear that they are still a few pieces short of being a title contender.
As a young team, the Rockets have had to learn the value of experienced players on the roster while making an appearance in the postseason. With hopes of building upon this, Houston will look to sign some talented veterans to bolster their overall integrity.
Naz Reid would be a great option for the Rockets when considering their postseason aspirations. Reid brings a lot of necessary qualities to the table, shot-making ability and offensive versatility being a few of them. These traits pair well with the Rockets’ star Alperen Sengun, making the potential big man duo a menace to opposing defensive units.
The primary challenge for Houston will be its limited cap space heading into the offseason. Facilitating a deal for Reid may involve a sign-and-trade with Minnesota. However, should the Rockets opt to decline the team option on Fred VanVleet, they will have enough space to pursue the Timberwolves center in free agency itself.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs may not have made much noise this season. However, they possess one of the most threatening star duos in the league. The pairing of De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama could turn the Spurs into a monster next season. However, the addition of Naz Reid could potentially see them emerge as contenders as well.
The Spurs were plagued by injury during the regular season, which caused them to fall through the ranks of the West. However, the acquisition of Fox ahead of the trade deadline could see San Antonio emerging as a real threat next season.
Reid may not necessarily pair well with Wembanyama. However, his ability to space the floor creates a lot of options for players like Fox and Harrison Barnes to operate in the midrange.
With Chris Paul coming off the books, the Spurs have some cap space to make a run at Reid in free agency. With an immensely talented group of players, San Antonio could benefit from adding another gifted big man to their rotation.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz had one of the worst records in the league this season. With a thoroughly depleted roster, the Jazz struggled to perform in the highly competitive Western Conference. However, this itself has been a positive for the team considering the upcoming NBA Draft.
The Jazz have very clearly committed to the rebuild. However, they are still in the process of adding talented players to their roster. The likes of Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Walker Kessler are only a few relevant names that stand out on Utah’s team at the moment. Given how relevant it is for the team to start building a foundation, pursuing Naz Reid may be a great start to the process.
Reid, who is 28 years old, fits the timeline for a lot of teams entering a rebuild. Although he doesn’t pair well next to Markkanen, Reid brings a lot of versatility to the table. Signing the center would also render Collins effectively redundant, making the Jazz forward a viable trade chip to make a run at signing a star player in the offseason.
In this scenario, Reid becomes a vital asset to kickstart some major changes in Utah. As a catalyst for the future, the center could certainly make the Jazz a much more competitive side just by joining them.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently facing a 3-1 deficit against the Wolves. Given how Reid has performed against the Lakers, it also becomes clear how the Purple and Gold could use a player of his caliber.
Reid’s ability to create shots and push the ball forward has been put on full display during the Lakers-Wolves series. On this note, Reid has also terrorized the Lakers’ defense with his impeccable shooting ability in Games 1 and 4.
Given the state of the Lakers’ roster, it is evident that they need a functional big man. The Wolves’ center would also blend into the Lakers’ roster rather seamlessly. His presence as an outside threat opens up driving lanes for Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic. Considering how effective Doncic is as a drive-and-kick playmaker, Reid is bound to benefit from some open looks as well.
When considering the current market, there are very few players that possess the same skill set as Naz Reid. Although the Lakers don’t boast the ample cap space that other teams do, they have been a franchise comfortable with going into the luxury tax territory.
Alternatively, the Purple and Gold would also look to move certain players in the offseason. With potential swaps via a sign-and-trade deal on the table, the Lakers will have a shot at pursuing Reid in free agency.
