Some minutes off the bench: Naz Reid
The Minnesota Timberwolves front office did not hesitate to extend backup center/power forward Naz Reid in the offseason. The theory behind bringing back Naz Reid has plenty of wild narratives, but let’s dispense with wild speculation and focus on what we know in terms of facts.
Naz Reid is 24 years old and is a hometown hero for the Minnesota Timberwolves. What that means is that he signed a Two-Way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves after going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. He continued to compete in a dual role, playing for the G-League Iowa Wolves, but repeatedly being called up to compete for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Standing 6-foot-10 and weighing a burly 264 pounds, Reid has competed at the center position, but he has the natural size and physicality to compete effectively as an NBA power forward as well. While Naz Reid insisted on a starting role in signing his next NBA contract, the Timberwolves were able to persuade him to return by expanding his role to both NBA center and power forward, a promise that they are already delivering on
Naz Reid powerful power-forward
Here is Naz Reid talking about his early soiree’ into the power-forward role:
Asked Naz Reid about this play and what he’s learning about playing the 4 next to Rudy Gobert.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) October 11, 2023
"Well the way he plays is kind of like completely opposite of how I play, so that's for one. And then for two, learning how to react to how he moves and vice-a-versa. Knowing where… pic.twitter.com/XaGqCI1wyK
Naz Reid competing at the power forward role is more than a dalliance. It is a logical and necessary progression for this Timberwolves roster to flex into their Tall Ball potential. And yes, when this team flips to big-time basketball, the Wolves have a very competent lineup that can deliver huge defense while still putting up plenty of points:
Wolves again rolling out the gigantic lineup.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) October 7, 2023
PG: Shake Milton 6’6
SG: Troy Brown 6’7
SF: Kyle Anderson 6’9
PF: Naz Reid 6’10
C: Rudy Gobert 7’1
Naz Reid dunk https://t.co/rny6ABO6rn pic.twitter.com/uiEO0NAsRZ
The Minnesota Timberwolves learned a painful lesson last season about not covering positions strategically and effectively. And with the financial pressure mounting on the team to find the funds to pay small forward Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid becomes a vital component for the Timberwolves to resolve those difficult money matters.
He is already demonstrating a tremendous ability to play at a high level in the power-forward role. But he will toggle between both center and power forward roles this season.