Can the Minnesota Timberwolves Naz Reid deal get done?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a lot on their plate this off-season. Certainly, in terms of urgency, the team is looking at the extension of the Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, there is no greater priority.

When it comes to Minnesota Timberwolves’ defensive guru, small forward Jaden McDaniels? His extension runs a very close second. The pair of Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels make up the very talented second wave of NBA elite talent on the Timberwolves roster.

But when it comes to the Timberwolves’ backup center Naz Reid? There may not be a more urgent need for an extension. Period.

The Timberwolves had taken a huge gamble at the NBA Trade Deadline on getting a deal done with backup center Naz Reid. If the team was uncertain that an extension could be negotiated between Reid and the Timberwolves, that was the time for the team to bail on Naz Reid, and trade both him and his Bird Rights to a team that has the type of opportunity that he is looking for in the 2023-24 NBA season.

Namely, the chance to start, and the NBA salary that comes with a starting  NBA center.

Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly certainly expressed confidence in the Timberwolves’ ability to re-sign Naz Reid this off-season, despite the fact that Reid becomes an NBA Free Agent:

But the Timberwolves are not without some leverage. The Minnesota Timberwolves watched a huge year from Two-Way Contract center Luka Garza, and the Timberwolves can extend Garza to take up a backup center role for the team in a pinch.

There is still plenty of time. If I had to set the likelihood of a new contract extension happening, I would say the chances of the Timberwolves extending Reid at about 60-40 are likely to happen.

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the springtime. The 2023-24 NBA season will be upon us all sooner than you think.