Timberwolves' Naz Reid decision is aging like fine wine

The Timberwolves thus far on the season do not have one of the more productive benches in the league. Currently, only the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Lakers are receiving less points per game from their reserves.

That begs the question: Where would the Wolves be without Naz Reid? Re-signing with Minnesota, talks of his new deal possibly being an overpay after he signed the deal have dissipated with his play, especially of late.

Reid had a huge impact in the fourth quarter during Thursday's win

It was somewhat of a quiet offseason for the Timberwolves, other than bringing back two key players. Julius Randle re-signed for three years for $100 million, while Reid re-upped on a five-year deal worth $125 million.

Thursday’s win over the Pelicans is a microcosm of Reid’s impact on the team this season. The bench scored 41 points, which is actually nine more than they average on the year. Nearly half of them, though, came from Reid. The 26-year-old scored 19 while making four 3-pointers, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out six assists, and rejecting two shots.

Once again, Minnesota had difficulty with the Pelicans, and they entered Thursday’s game down two once the fourth quarter began. Chris Finch kept the same five on the court for the entire final 12 minutes: four starters (minus Rudy Gobert) and Reid. The Timberwolves outscored them 37-26 in the last stanza to secure the nine-point win.

Reid hit two three-pointers within three minutes of the last period, the second of which gave the Wolves a five-point lead. The first one opened up Minnesota’s scoring in the quarter and tied the game. That fourth quarter saw Reid score 11 points (with two rebounds and three assists), and he gave Finch no reason to substitute him out.

Very few (if any) bench players can produce like Reid

Honestly, $25 million a year in today’s NBA isn’t that substantial a deal. According to Spotrac, projecting rises in the salary cap, none of the years on his deal are even worth 15% of the cap. He will be 30 years old in the last year of his contract, with a player option for the 2029-30 season.

Over the last 11 games, there arguably hasn’t been a better bench player in the NBA than Reid. The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year in that timeframe is averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks while connecting on nearly three 3-pointers per contest. Minnesota is also a +41 in Reid's minutes in the team's past 11 outings.

Again I ask, where would the Wolves be without Naz Reid?