Naz Reid has always been the kind of player Timberwolves fans could rally around, so if he takes another step with the Hornets, Minnesota may have a hard time feeling completely good about the deal that sent him away.
The trade that shipped Reid to Charlotte solved a major need for the Timberwolves by bringing in a star point guard, but it also cut loose a player who had become a fan favorite and looked ready to claim a starting job for the first time in his career. Even if the LaMelo Ball era turns out the way Minnesota hopes, Reid’s departure is the sort of move that can linger in the back of a fan base’s mind.
That’s especially true because a breakout season in Charlotte is very much on the table. Reid has already built a reputation as one of the league’s most productive bench players.
He averaged 13.6 points last season and won Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24. With his blend of size and skill, there’s a real chance he pushes into another tier.
If Reid gets anywhere near fringe 20 points per game, the second-guessing in Minnesota could get loud.
Charlotte’s roster gives him a clear path to major minutes. The Hornets have a thin frontcourt, and Reid is set up as the starting power forward.
Behind him are rookie Hannes Steinchabch and veteran Grant Williams, while Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner form a center pairing that is solid, but not overwhelming. That kind of setup could put Reid on the floor more than he’s ever been in his career.
He also looks like a natural fit in Charles Lee’s system, which leans on 3-point shooting and fast decisions. In Minnesota, Reid was often used as a finisher, even though the Wolves did tap into some of his extra creation and skill.
The question now is whether Charlotte can unlock more of that shot-making. It’s certainly possible.
That’s where the trade gets complicated. The LaMelo move is still defensible, and there’s a major talent gap between Ball and Reid right now. But Ball’s injury history brings obvious risk, and if that becomes a problem while Reid is thriving in Charlotte, the reaction in Minnesota could shift fast.
The Wolves also still have a hole at power forward after moving Reid, and they haven’t filled it yet. If that weakness comes back to bite them, the “what if” questions will only get louder, especially if Reid is putting together the best season of his career.
There’s also a fresh layer to this for Timberwolves fans. Last offseason, Minnesota let Nickeil Alexander-Walker walk to avoid the second apron, and that decision backfired when NAW won Most Improved Player. If Reid follows that path and breaks out after leaving, it would be the second straight year a former Wolf reached a new level somewhere else.
For now, fans will still pull for Reid. But if he turns into the player Charlotte hopes he can be, the trade that sent him away may not feel nearly as clean.
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The real concern in Denver is not just what they added, but what they may have to give up to stay flexible. Matching the offer sheet for Spencer Jones squeezed the cap situation further, and Peyton Watsons restricted free agency still hangs over the roster picture, leaving the Nuggets with a difficult balancing act before they can even think about another upgrade. For Minnesota, the appeal is obvious: if Denver is forced into painful salary-dump decisions just to manage its cap, that is the kind of opening the Wolves have been waiting to see. [Read more 🡒]
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Since then, the Wolves depth chart has shifted enough to make forward help a real need, which is why the two former young pieces stand out even more. Miller has flashed with the Bulls, and Minott has shown some useful versatility with the Celtics and Nets, leaving Minnesota to wonder whether the answer at forward might have already been in the building. [Read more 🡒]