ESPN does its NBA Rank annually during the offseason, in which they name who they believe will be the top 100 players for the upcoming year. The 2025 list began today (September 23) with players #51-100. Two Timberwolves were included in that 50-player group. One of those is Naz Reid, who came in at #90.
Reid has arguably been the top reserve over the last two seasons
If you had to name the most productive reserve player in the NBA over the last two seasons, Naz Reid should be one of the first three mentioned, if not the first. After winning Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24, the now 26-year-old finished fifth in voting last season.
In the last two years, Reid has averaged 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and nearly a block per contest over 25.9 minutes. The 6-foot-9 power forward/center is also one of the true stretch bigs in the league. Reid has made 2.1 threes per game over the last two seasons at a 39.5% clip.
Now the numbers have declined a bit come playoff time, but that is due in part to a lower usage rate for Reid. He still had an excellent 64.5% true shooting in last season’s playoffs.
Re-signed this offseason to a 5-year, $125 million deal, Reid would likely be starting on a majority of NBA teams. In Minnesota, he has been behind All-Star caliber talent in Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and previously Karl-Anthony Towns.
Reid has a strong case to be ahead of some big men ranked higher
There are a few big men ahead of Reid in ESPN’s rankings that are questionable choices to be ahead of the six-year veteran.
Coming in at #88 is Zach Edey of the Grizzlies. Sure, he was one of the better rookies last year, but let’s not confuse last season as being one of the better rookie classes. He also underwent ankle surgery which is expected to force him out of action to begin the year.
Jonas Valanciunas, now on the Nuggets, is #87. Yes, he’s the best backup center in the Nikola Jokic era for Denver, but how much can he really be expected to play? While Reid isn’t an All-Defensive candidate, Valanciunas is slow afoot, making him a liability at that end at times.
The Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu is placed at #79. A solid player, sure, but there’s a reason it took him 4.5 years to finally wrest the starting center spot away from Clint Capela. I personally believe, Reid should be above the first two mentioned, while this one is arguable.