MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks the ball while … More
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Naz Reid have agreed to an extension worth $125 million over five seasons, solving one of the team’s most crucial puzzles, before they head into free agency.
Solid value, long contract, complicated situation
Reid at $25 million per year represents solid compensational value, and signals a high-held belief in the center from the side of the organization, given that he’s likely going to still come off the bench for a season or two, until he takes over for Rudy Gobert.
Paying any bench player $25 million per year is not an easy decision, but Reid is simply so impactful of a player, that the organization decided to lock him in for five years, and that’s the number which does seem optimistic on the surface.
He’s a strong scorer, solid rebounder, and his floor-spacing capabilities allow the Wolves to be spread out, thus optimizing the effects of Anthony Edwards. So there’s a player in there that’s important, but you have to wonder if the amount of years – the fifth season is a player option – is going to become a slight problem for them if Gobert hangs onto the main center spot for longer than anticipated.
As the team grows more expensive, it’s hard to justify that type of long-term contract for a sixth man, even if the money itself – in a vacuum – aren’t that overwhelming in the context of things.
Additionally, the Wolves could played a bit of hardball here if they had wanted to. Reid, had he opted out, would only have been able to receive a similar offer from the Brooklyn Nets, meaning his market was probably not that strong due to the lack of money in free agency.
Instead, the Wolves saw it differently. They saw a player who could have picked up his $15 million option, and then left outright in free agency in 2026, and that was a scenario they wanted to avoid.
This type of deal would have more sense in 2026, if a team – including the Wolves – saw Reid as a player who should start full-time.
Julius Randle is next
Like Reid, Julius Randle also has a player option, which he can decline and then sign for longer, or pick up and just play it out next season.
If the forward is looking for a big payday, the Wolves will have to be careful. They’re already up against the second apron, and a hefty raise for Randle will surely exceed it.
The Reid signing, as well as Randle’s upcoming decision, likely prices Minnesota out of returning Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who is an unrestricted free agent, who is likely to command a contract in the area of $15 million per year.
Of course, the Wolves could just stay aggressive and go deeper into the tax, and across the second apron, but is that a plan new ownership is willing to buy into?
We’ll see how the Wolves handle the early stages of free agency, but the overarching feeling is there probably is a limit somewhere.
But, that limit does not seem to apply to Naz Reid, which could be a good thing if he is to receive a bigger role soon.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
