On Sunday afternoon, the Minnesota Timberwolves checked an important item off their offseason to-do list when it was announced they would be retaining free agent Naz Reid. The versatile big man agreed to a three-year deal with the Wolves totaling $42 million.
This announcement came after weeks of speculation around what would happen to Minnesota’s beloved backup center. With the Timberwolves needing to be mindful of their financial situation, it was far from a certainty that Reid would be back in Minnesota.
With Naz now officially on the books for the next three seasons, Wolves fans were already breathing a sigh of relief. But after more NBA news dropped on Wednesday, both the fanbase and the organization have to feel even better about Reid’s new contract.
The latest NBA news has made Naz Reid’s new contract look even better.
Adrian Wojnarowski announced Wednesday afternoon that the Chicago Bulls had agreed to a contract extension with their starting center, Nikola Vucevic. The Bulls will reportedly be inking Vucevic to a new three-year, $60 million contract.
This is a great payday for Vucevic, and one that he will undoubtedly be thrilled about. Chicago was obviously happy to shell out a large check to keep him in town, but the number on his deal is one that reflects very positively on the Timberwolves.
When comparing these two contracts and situations side by side, it is a shockingly stark contrast. After missing the play-in tournament, the Bulls chose to overpay their fringe All-Star, whereas Minnesota kept their underrated backup center around for less than market value. They did this after making the playoffs despite an array of injury problems all of last season.
Once again, Timberwolves President Tim Connelly showed his expertise in team-building by negotiating a much more team-friendly contract for Naz Reid than many thought possible. His leadership is a big reason why the Minnesota Timberwolves appear poised to continue elevating, while other playoff-level teams are stuck in the middle.
As more and more lucrative contracts are announced throughout the offseason, the shockingly good value of Naz Reid’s contract will only become clearer.