Naz Reid wants to be a starter, but if the Minnesota Timberwolves decide to bring back Julius Randle, then it could force the former Sixth Man of the Year out the door. Randle coming back would effectively solidify his spot as a starter next to Rudy Gobert, which would almost force Reid to sign elsewhere in free agency. Bryce Simon speculated as much on the Game Theory podcast:
“If you’re going to sign Julius to three more years and Rudy’s on the books for two, three more years and, like you said, maybe me and Julius sharing the floor together isn’t always the best situation, I’m going to go somewhere else where I fit in with the center and whatever and I’m going to get to start and play 30 minutes a night.”
That puts the Timberwolves in a very tough situation.
What’s the deal with Julius Randle?
This past season was the final guaranteed year of Randle’s contract. He has a player option for next season that’s worth $30.9 million, which he may or may not choose to pick up. The only way he would decline it is if he believes he can get a longer-term deal with the Wolves (or somewhere else in free agency, which seems unlikely).
Minnesota will likely have the chance to bring Randle back for multiple seasons, and if they don’t he’ll probably be back on player-option year in his contract.
Both of those situations don’t bode well for Reid.
Where does all that leave Naz Reid?
For the past few seasons, Reid has proven capable of doing way more than the Wolves have asked him to do. He’s put up great stats in each of the last two regular seasons, yet when the playoffs have come around, his shot attempts have gone down significantly, as has his role.
Following his Sixth Man of the Year campaign in the 2023-24 season, Reid improved almost all of his counting stats, but once again, was resigned to the bench in Minnesota.
At this point in his career, with the chance to sign a new contract, a starting role is more than deserved for Reid. The question is, will it be in Minnesota or not?
If the Wolves bring back Randle, it would all but close the door on a starting spot for Reid. They would have Jaden McDaniels, Randle, and Gobert taking up all three frontcourt spots for years to come.
And if that becomes the reality, Reid may have to consider signing elsewhere, as it would solidify the fact that his role wouldn’t be changing anytime soon.