The Warriors keep searching for a clean answer in the middle, and Wednesday night in Charlotte may have opened up a name worth watching.
Naz Reid’s night against the Detroit Pistons went sideways in a hurry. After playing the first half, he didn’t see the floor at all after intermission, which initially led to the usual injury or illness guesses. Instead, head coach Charles Lee made it clear after the game that Reid was benched entirely because he did not meet team standards in the first 24 minutes.
It was a striking move from Lee, one that underscored the message he’s trying to deliver in Charlotte. It also came in a game the Hornets had in hand at halftime, leading by seven before ending up with an eight-point loss.
Reid still put up seven points and six rebounds before the break, and his season line now sits at 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists since arriving in the offseason’s bombshell LaMelo Ball trade.
That’s where the Warriors angle starts to heat up. Golden State is looking for a fix with Kristaps Porzingis and his $20 million salary, and Reid checks a lot of boxes as a possible answer if Charlotte decides this is more than just a one-night issue.
Reid is making $23.3 million this season, right in the neighborhood of Porzingis, which makes him a realistic target if the Hornets don’t view the 27-year-old as part of their long-term plan.
For Golden State, the fit is obvious. Reid already has a reputation with Warriors fans from his time tormenting them with the Timberwolves, and he would slide into a center rotation that needs help.
He’d also give the offense another layer next to Draymond Green and Al Horford. He’s more than a floor-spacer; he can put the ball on the deck, make plays, and look like the kind of weapon who could give Golden State 12 to 15 points a night as one of the league’s best sixth men.
The problem is the cost. Charlotte would have to take on Porzingis’ contract, and Reid is not a short-term rental after signing a five-year, $125 million deal with the Timberwolves in 2025. Even with that hurdle, the benching on Wednesday is enough to put him squarely on Golden State’s radar.
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Draymond Green Just Changed What Warriors Should Want At Center
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That kind of performance changes the conversation around what Golden State should be chasing next. The Warriors are still exploring trade possibilities, including Kristaps Porzingis, but the bigger question may be whether they want a center who brings more upside and trust than the current bench options. Yves Missi of the New Orleans Pelicans has emerged as a reported target, and the appeal is obvious: if Green can keep covering for the present, the Warriors can afford to be more selective about the future. [Read more 🡒]