Winners and losers from the first half of Timberwolves’ 2022-23 season
By Will Eudy
Winner: Naz Reid
With the Timberwolves’ starting lineup featuring a pair of All-Star caliber seven-footers, Minnesota boasts one of the most talented frontcourts in the entire NBA. When fully healthy, Towns and Gobert still have the chance to form a special duo.
But the Timberwolves also have the luxury of employing one of the most underrated young bigs in the league off their bench in Naz Reid. Occasionally filling in as a starter with KAT and Rudy missing time, Reid has been playing his role to a tee for this Timberwolves team.
The definition of an energy player, Reid’s unique combination of size, skill, and tenacity produce a player that is both incredibly useful and thoroughly frustrating to compete against.
In just 17.5 minutes per contest this season, Naz Reid is Minnesota’s second-leading scorer off the bench with 10.4 points added per game. He is the only Timberwolves player averaging double figures while playing less than 20 minutes per night.
A bruiser inside, Reid has logged three double-doubles this season and even grabbed an absurd 18 rebounds against the Thunder on December 3rd. Combine that with his 38% three-point shooting percentage, and it is obvious why he has been an absolute menace for Timberwolves opponents.