The Detroit Pistons have emerged as a potential suitor for Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid this offseason, with NBA insider Marc Stein reporting that Detroit “is among the teams with interest” in the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up.
While it’s unclear whether the Pistons have a realistic shot at acquiring Reid, league sources suggest he’s firmly on their radar and for good reason.
“The Pistons are among the teams with interest in Timberwolves big man Reid, league sources say. Detroit is known to covet a floor-spacing big man and, according to sources, is likewise said to hold interest in Indiana’s Myles Turner. Whether the Pistons have a tangible shot at acquiring either player, mind you, is far from clear.”
Detroit tripled its win total this past season and gave the New York Knicks a scare in the first round. Now, under coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Pistons are looking to take that next step.
With Cade Cunningham establishing himself as a rising star and Ausar Thompson cementing his role as a versatile defender, the next step in the team’s evolution is simple: floor spacing.
That’s where Naz Reid comes in.
Reid, who averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting a career-best 38.1% from three, is exactly the kind of modern big Detroit is missing. He hoisted nearly six threes per game and proved he could thrive both alongside and without traditional centers like Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.
His versatility, switching between the four and five, gives Detroit the spacing it needs without fully compromising on rebounding or size.
The Pistons already have Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart in the frontcourt. Duren is younger and has shown real promise, averaging a double-double last season. Stewart, meanwhile, remains a gritty defensive presence.
But Bickerstaff played Stewart almost exclusively at center, and with Reid’s shooting touch, the writing might be on the wall for a frontcourt shuffle. If Reid arrives, one of Detroit’s current bigs will likely be moved, with Stewart seen as the more tradable piece.
Financially, Detroit is one of the few teams with the flexibility to go above the mid-level exception.
If they renounce the rights to free agents like Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder, and Tim Hardaway Jr., they could offer Reid north of $16 million annually, just enough to make things difficult for the Wolves to match, especially with Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker also due for new deals.
Reid has a $15 million player option, but he’s expected to decline it in pursuit of a more lucrative, long-term contract. Detroit’s cap room, combined with a clear role and a budding young core, makes them a compelling destination.
There’s even buzz about a multi-team trade involving Minnesota’s interest in Kevin Durant, potentially unlocking a pathway for Detroit to land Reid without overpaying. Whether that deal materializes or not, the Pistons’ interest in Reid feels like more than a rumor; it’s part of a larger shift in how they want to play.
With the Celtics possibly on the decline next season and the East wide open beyond the top two or three contenders, the Pistons could be poised to leap. Adding Naz Reid might not make them instant contenders, but it could give them the offensive versatility needed to build a sustainable playoff presence.
If Detroit truly wants to go big this summer, Reid might be the most realistic and impactful target available.
