Naz Reid Is Powering the Timberwolves - and Making a Strong Case for Sixth Man of the Year (Again)
Let’s start with the obvious: Naz Reid is cooking.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is in the middle of another standout campaign, and if the first half of the season is any indication, he’s making a serious push to go back-to-back. Reid’s been a driving force behind the Minnesota Timberwolves’ rise in the Western Conference standings - a team now neck-and-neck with the San Antonio Spurs for the No. 2 seed.
And Reid? He’s been nothing short of elite in January.
Through seven games this month, he’s shooting a blistering 57% from the field. For context, the league average hovers around 47%.
That’s a 10-point gap in efficiency - a massive difference when you’re coming off the bench and expected to change the tempo of a game.
His next most efficient month this season? November, where he shot 47%. That’s a big leap, and it’s coming at just the right time as the All-Star break approaches.
A Matchup Nightmare
Reid has always been a tough cover. His inside-out game stretches opposing bigs to uncomfortable spots on the floor.
This month, he’s hitting 57% of his threes - a ridiculous number for any player, let alone a center. That kind of shooting forces defenses to make hard choices, and most nights, they’re picking their poison.
But it’s not just the jumper. Reid isn’t a one-trick shooter who camps out behind the arc.
He avoids mid-range looks but attacks closeouts with purpose, finishing around the rim with finesse and power. He’s got the footwork, the touch, and the creativity to finish with either hand from angles most bigs wouldn’t even attempt.
It’s that blend of skill and style that earned him the nickname “Big Jelly” - and Wolves fans have seen him live up to that name since day one.
Holding Down the Bench
Minnesota’s bench production this season has been inconsistent, but Reid has been the steadying force. He’s the anchor of the second unit, logging the bulk of the bench minutes alongside Mike Conley, Jaylen Clark, and Bones Hyland.
In Chris Finch’s nine-man rotation, Reid’s impact is non-negotiable. He’s the engine that keeps the second unit moving.
And it’s not just about scoring. Reid’s versatility has made him a fixture in many of Minnesota’s most effective lineups - both offensively and defensively.
Whether he’s paired with starters or reserves, the Wolves are better when he’s on the floor. That’s not just eye test - it’s lineup data, and it’s consistent.
He’s averaging 27 minutes a night and hasn’t missed a game all season. That kind of availability, paired with his production, makes him one of the most valuable non-starters in the league.
Leading by Example
Leadership wasn’t always the first word associated with Naz Reid. But that’s changing.
Now in his seventh year, Reid has embraced a mentorship role, helping guide Minnesota’s young core through the ups and downs of NBA life. He’s been open about his own learning curve - the pressure he put on himself early in his career to be perfect, and how that mindset needed to evolve.
Guys like Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Joan Beringer are now walking that same path, and Reid is making sure they don’t walk it alone. When Beringer got extended minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks - stepping in for Rudy Gobert, who was out due to suspension - he responded with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting and six rebounds.
During a break in the action, Reid pulled him aside for a quick word. That’s the kind of leadership that doesn’t show up in the box score but matters just as much.
The Fan Favorite Who Stayed
For years, Timberwolves fans have clamored to see Reid in the starting lineup. And there was a time when it looked like he might leave in free agency to find that opportunity elsewhere.
But Reid stayed. He chose Minnesota, and in return, the Wolves have gotten a selfless, dynamic player who’s become a cornerstone of their identity.
Veteran point guard Mike Conley - now in his 18th season - recently praised Reid, along with Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, for stepping into leadership roles.
“You got to hope that the guys are learning from you,” Conley said. “To see them handle issues on their own and mature takes a lot of pressure off us as the older guys. I’m happy to see them take ownership of this team.”
Eyes on the Prize
According to FanDuel, Reid is currently the favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year again. And it’s not hard to see why. His efficiency, his consistency, his leadership - it’s all coming together at the perfect time.
But individual hardware isn’t the endgame. If Reid keeps playing at this level, he won’t just be in the mix for another trophy - he’ll be helping push the Timberwolves toward something even bigger.
The kind of prize that every player in the league dreams about. And based on how Minnesota is trending, that dream is starting to look a little more real.
Naz Reid isn’t just having a moment. He’s building something - and the Wolves are following his lead.