The Minnesota Timberwolves have solidified a key piece of their core, agreeing to a five-year, $125 million contract extension with forward-center Naz Reid. The deal, first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, ensures Reid remains a cornerstone for a team that has now reached back-to-back Western Conference Finals.
Reid declines player option, attracts league-wide interest
As part of the new agreement, Reid will decline his $15 million player option for the upcoming season. The move was widely anticipated, with Reid emerging as one of the league’s most valuable sixth men and drawing serious interest from several franchises.
There was a vibrant market developing, Charania reported
Noting multiple teams were prepared to offer similar figures as Minnesota, some even including a guaranteed starting role. One of the more persistent suitors was the Detroit Pistons, a team in search of a stretch big who could complement their young roster. While only the Brooklyn Nets had the cap space readily available to make such a substantial offer at the time, other teams were reportedly exploring ways to create room for Reid.
A breakout season for the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year
Reid, 25, is coming off a career-best season that earned him the 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Averaging 14.2 points and six rebounds per game, he also connected on 37.9% of his three-point attempts, a skillset that added crucial floor spacing when coming off the bench behind All-Star center Rudy Gobert.
Throughout Minnesota’s deep playoff run, Reid delivered several clutch performances, proving indispensable to the team’s success. His ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions made him a matchup nightmare for opponents and a perfect fit in the Timberwolves’ evolving system.
Minnesota faces more roster decisions
While Reid’s extension offers stability, the Timberwolves still face key decisions, most notably surrounding Julius Randle. The veteran forward holds a $30.9 million player option that must be exercised by Sunday. Like Reid, Randle is also believed to be seeking a long-term extension.
As Minnesota continues to contend in a loaded Western Conference, retaining talent like Reid signals the franchise’s commitment to building a championship-caliber roster.