As NBA Draft week approaches, the Minnesota Timberwolves are razor-focused on managing all their assets with as much precision as possible. They are no doubt getting plenty of calls regarding Karl-Anthony Towns, and each proposal from other teams is being carefully weighed and considered.
Of course, what they decide to do with Towns will have a direct impact on their most important free agent: Naz Reid. When NBA free agency officially begins on July 1, Reid will be eligible to sign a deal with a new team if he so chooses. The Timberwolves will be doing everything in their power to keep the skilled big man in Minnesota.
The kicker with Towns and Reid is that if the Wolves decide against moving their starting power forward, Reid will be unable to assume a larger role with the team, as he would not start over Towns. After the impressive showing he had this past season, it is likely he could find that larger opportunity by signing elsewhere.
Over the last several weeks, there have been a few teams rumored to have interest in signing Naz Reid. Based on each team’s situation and cap space, there are a few frontrunners that make more sense than the rest.
These teams are the biggest threats to sign Naz Reid:
1. Orlando Magic
The Magic finished 13th in the East in 2022-23 but managed to win 34 games in what proved to be a crowded middle of the conference. Their record may not reflect it, but Orlando looked like a playoff team for stretches throughout the season.
The Magic could be in the market for a dynamic player to put next to Paolo Banchero in the frontcourt, and Naz Reid would be an excellent fit. With Reid’s ability to space the floor, Banchero would have a ton of room to operate and would be in great position to build off his impressive rookie season.
Orlando may not have the most talented roster and Reid could certainly sign with a team closer to contending for a championship. But the Magic’s cap space this summer will be significant. If they end up waiving all their non-guaranteed players, they can create up to $58 million in total cap space.
2. Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are in an interesting position this offseason. The franchise is desperate to keep Damian Lillard around so that they can stay in hypothetical contention for a championship. As such, they are doing everything possible to lure free agents like Naz Reid so Lillard will feel like staying in town is worth it.
Portland has opened up as a popular name for several players that could be on the move this summer. Even so, there is still skepticism as to who will actually sign there, given the city is not a big free agent destination.
But if the organization puts together an offer good enough and is able to lure Naz Reid away from Minnesota, it could be a solid on-court fit for him. The Blazers may be the only team on our list where Reid would not have a guaranteed starting spot, as Jusuf Nurkic would likely still start over him at the five. But he would still be in position to earn the most minutes of any player off the bench.
Reid was very effective this past season in Minnesota due to how his unique skillset offset that of Rudy Gobert. Whereas Gobert provides rim protection and rebounding, Reid brings shooting touch and spaces the floor. He would be able to bring a similar dynamic to the Blazers by filling in for Nurkic in certain lineups.
The Blazers’ roughly $40 million in cap space this offseason will make them a major contender in the Naz Reid sweepstakes.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Always a prime destination for free agents, the Los Angeles Lakers could be looking to make an upgrade at center as well. After their moves at the trade deadline wherein they acquired three former Timberwolves in D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley, LA went on an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals.
Now, the organization has to feel like they are a piece or two away from getting over the hump and winning another championship. LeBron James is in the twilight of his career and Anthony Davis is not getting any younger either, so they will want to act quickly.
Two of the more underrated players in the Lakers’ locker room for the latter half of the 2022-23 season were Rui Hachimura and Mo Bamba. But would LA be willing to move on from one or both of them in favor of a more potent offensive option?
If they were, Naz Reid would give Anthony Davis the option of playing at his more natural position of power forward once again. With Reid still being just 23 years old, he could be an attractive potential long-term option in Los Angeles.
The only caveat is that the Lakers would have to waive all of their non-guaranteed players to generate significant cap room. Doing so would create around $30 million in cap room and would leave the roster with some holes to fill, but it could be worth it for them if they are high enough on the Timberwolves’ young gun.
Naz Reid would become the latest player to join the growing Minnesota-to-Los Angeles pipeline.