The Minnesota Timberwolves' season is over, and offseason discussions are already in full swing less than a week after the Wolves' elimination in Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Obviously, one of the biggest questions is going to be whether Minnesota can retain Naz Reid, and a new report suggests that the Detroit Pistons are also going to have interest in signing the big man.
NBA journalist Marc Stein wrote that the Pistons are one of the teams interested in attempting to sign Reid (subscription required). Stein writes: Detroit is known to covet a floor-spacing big man and, according to sources, is likewise said to hold interest in Indiana's Myles Turner.
Whether the Pistons have a tangible shot at acquiring either player, mind you, is far from clear. Reid has a $15 million player option for next season that he must exercise or decline by June 29. The Timberwolves have made it known they have strong interest in retaining Reid and there's another notable obstacle for the Pistons here: Even if Reid makes it to the open market, Detroit won't have substantial salary cap room to try to outright sign him away from the Wolves if it is also hoping to re-sign sharpshooter Malik Beasley and/or veteran guard Dennis Schröder.
It's not a surprise that the Pistons have interest in trying to add Naz Reid to their squad. Minnesota's big man was always going to be a hot commodity on the open market after winning the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year award. Still just 25 years old, Reid has quickly become one of the most dynamic reserves in the NBA.
Detroit may try to sign away Naz Reid
It makes a lot of sense why the Pistons would want to add him to their equation. Detroit has the ability to create cap space and is hungry to find frontcourt pieces that complement their franchise cornerstone in Cade Cunningham.
Naz Reid's fit in Detroit is pretty obvious. He offers a unique offensive skill set that could significantly transform the Pistons' offense and help create more spacing to maximize Cunningham's game. He also has stated that he sees himself as a starting caliber player, something he could achieve in the Motor City.
Losing Reid would of course be a major blow for Minnesota. He's a homegrown talent and a favorite of every fan at Target Center. And of course, replacing his on-court production would not exactly be easy either.
With that being said, let's remember Stein's comments about how likely (or unlikely) it is Detroit could pull something like this off. The Pistons may want to resign Malik Beasley and/or Dennis Schroder. If they do so, it's not likely they'd have the financial means to sign Reid. Timberwolves fans likely don't have to worry too much about this one.