New Timberwolves rumors: 2 teams in hot pursuit of Naz Reid

Reid to the Clippers?

The latest Hoops Hype profers a scenario in which the LA Clippers offer guard Terrence Mann as part of the exchange for Naz Reid. While that seems quite enticing, it fails to answer the most basic of questions: Why would the Minnesota Timberwolves be interested in a trade that helps a competing team?

Well, let’s size up the exchange. With the way that the Timberwolves roster is currently constructed, there is almost no chance to retain Naz Reid. The Timberwolves have committed their frontcourt to both Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns in the foreseeable future.

In this exchange, the Minnesota Timberwolves would send backup center Naz Reid to the LA Clippers, and in return, the LA Clippers would send backup wingman Terrance Mann to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Terrance Mann

So what would this trade look like:

Because the trade is an exchange of similarly paid NBA players, the ESPN Trade Mache flashes a green light on this trade scenario. In fact, this deal is actually given +2 wins in terms of the ESPN Hollinger analysis.

For the Timberwolves, the team gets an immediate upgrade over the player that veteran Bryn Forbes was supposed to be. While Reid is certainly a talented player, the Timberwolves can backfill his absence by enhancing the role currently filled by Two-Way contract center Luka Garza.

For the Clippers, they get a solid-state backup center for starter Ivica Zubac and a player who could push for the starting role in the 2023-24 NBA season.