It's extremely rare to find a productive undrafted player, but that's exactly what the Minnesota Timberwolves did with Naz Reid. Despite being the 12th-ranked recruit coming out of high school, Reid surprisingly went undrafted in 2019, largely due to concerns about his conditioning. Reid's talent, especially on offense, was always there. However, in 2019, it would be hard for anyone to imagine that Reid would eventually become the player he is today.
Reid turned 26 years old today (August 26), meaning he may still have another level to reach as he enters his true prime. The 6-foot-9 center's amazing development and entertaining skill set have made him a fan favorite.
Reid's path to being one of the NBA's premier sixth men
During his rookie season, Reid spent much of his time with the Iowa Wolves, where he averaged 18.4 points and 9.8 rebounds. However, he showcased his potential in the second half of his rookie season. Notably, in 30 games (11 starts), Reid averaged 9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Reid became a mainstay in the Wolves' rotation in his second season, averaging 19.2 minutes, 11.2 points, all while bumping up his field goal percentage from 41.2 to 52.3. He quickly showed his rare shot creation abilities and flashes of his upside as a shooter.
From the time he was drafted until his third season, Reid lost over 30 pounds. Undoubtedly, this helped him adjust to the NBA's pace and allowed him to maximize his gifts as a shot creator. Reid continuously improved, culminating in winning Sixth Man of the Year in his fifth season. He averaged 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 47.7/41.4/73.6 in the 2023-24 campaign.
Shooting is one notable area of Reid's development. The big man always had a smooth touch, but he only shot 33.3 percent from beyond the arc at LSU and 33 percent from 3 as a rookie. In the past two years with increased volume, Reid has become one of the league's most efficient shooters regardless of position and role. In doing so, Reid has become arguably the league's best sixth man.
Last season, Reid averaged career highs in minutes (27.5), points (14.2), rebounds (6), and assists (2.3). As a result, the Wolves gave him a five-year extension worth $125 million. Undoubtedly, Reid is akey part of the Wolves' core and vital to their championship hopes.
Naz Reid ‘24-25 bag work pic.twitter.com/smBidU9E37
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) June 13, 2025
Reid is a crucial part of the Wolves' success
Reid's rare blend of size, shot creation, shooting, and playmaking makes him one of the most impactful role players. This skill set is especially valuable next to Anthony Edwards and gives the Wolves' offense another element. However, the 26-year-old still has another level to reach, especially as a defender and even a playmaker. Given his history of incredible development, it's fair to expect this from Reid.
He, along with Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, is one of the NBA's best frontcourts. After the contract he got this summer, it's clear that the Wolves believe in Reid. Ultimately, Reid's journey from an undrafted big man to an indispensable piece of one of the NBA's best teams is truly remarkable, and his story is far from over.