Naz Reid finally has the kind of opening Timberwolves fans always wondered about - only it comes in Charlotte.
For years in Minnesota, Reid was the guy people loved: the unusual path, the smooth game, the community presence, the whole package. But he was also stuck behind Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and then Julius Randle after KAT was traded.
That left him as a super-sub, the kind of player fans could only imagine with a bigger workload. When Randle was moved for about 48 hours, it briefly looked like that chance might come with the Timberwolves.
Instead, Reid wound up with the Charlotte Hornets as part of the LaMelo Ball trade.
Now the Hornets can give him the role Minnesota never really could.
Reid is expected to start at power forward, and that alone changes the conversation. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are set to be Charlotte’s top two options, but Reid has a real path to becoming the third guy in the pecking order, with Coby White as the main competition for that spot.
That kind of responsibility could matter. In 51 games as a starter over the past four seasons, Reid has put up 17.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Those numbers are a clear jump from his overall marks in that same span: 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
The fit goes beyond opportunity. Reid has the kind of offensive game that can stretch into more usage.
He’s a strong self-creator for his size, even if Minnesota mostly used him as a spot-up and play-finishing piece because of the talent around him. The upside has been there, though.
Basketball Index had him in the 88th percentile for one-on-one shot-making, and his comfort handling the ball has always stood out for a player built like he is.
Charlotte’s style could help bring that out even more. The Hornets emphasize 3-point shooting and quick decision-making, which lines up neatly with what Reid does best.
So yes, there’s a real chance this is the version of Naz Reid people have been waiting to see.
That said, it’s not a reason for Minnesota to second-guess the trade. The Wolves got a high-end co-star for Anthony Edwards, someone who filled a long-standing need for playmaking.
Still, it would have been something to watch Reid get that kind of runway in Minnesota. The roster never gave him the space for it.
In Other News...
Rudy Gobert Trade Looks Different As Wolves Dream Even Bigger
Rudy Gobert arrived in Minnesota with the kind of price tag that usually gets judged in years, not weeks, and the early reaction around the deal was plenty loud. Now, after the Timberwolves have reached two conference finals and spent the last few seasons building something sturdier around Anthony Edwards and Gobert, the trade looks less like an isolated gamble and more like the move that helped define the franchises direction.
Minnesota is not just trying to stay relevant, either. With a young core still taking shape and other contributors pushing into larger roles, the Wolves have reason to believe their window can stretch beyond one strong run. Goberts presence still anchors the conversation, but the bigger question now is how far this group can go while the roster keeps getting younger, deeper, and more capable around its stars. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Set A Massive Price For Jaylen Brown And Minnesota Walked Away
Minnesota spent part of the summer exploring a swing for Jaylen Brown, a sign the Timberwolves were at least willing to think big if the right star became available. Brown eventually landed with the Philadelphia 76ers, but before that, the Wolves had discussions with Boston about what it would take to pry him loose, and the framework quickly showed just how steep the Celtics were setting the bar.
The asking price was more than Minnesota was prepared to meet, and the talks never moved forward. Instead, the Timberwolves chose a different path and brought in LaMelo Ball, opting for a fit that better matched what they wanted around the rest of the roster rather than emptying the cupboard for a deal that never got close to the finish line. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Just Turned One Move Into A Fascinating Cody Williams Bet
The Timberwolves kept the more interesting piece of their swap with Utah, landing Cody Williams in a deal that sent Josh Green and cash the other way and then moving quickly to waive and stretch John Konchar to open up financial flexibility. It was a tidy bit of roster housekeeping, but the bigger point was what Minnesota chose to preserve: a young wing with real pedigree who still has plenty to prove.
Williams arrives with a different kind of opportunity than he had before, because the Timberwolves are not a rebuilding team handing out empty minutes. They have a strong roster and championship expectations, which makes his path more defined and the pressure more immediate. For a former top draft pick who has had a hard time getting traction early in his career, this looks less like a flyer and more like a calculated bet on whether a change of scenery can unlock something the Jazz never quite got to see. [Read more 🡒]