Timberwolves re-sign center Naz Reid to three-year, $42 million contract

The The Minnesota Timberwolves have stored middle Naz Reid off the market by agreeing to phrases on a three-year, $42 million contract that comes with a participant possibility after two seasons.

The deal was struck Sunday evening and confirmed Monday by Reid’s brokers, Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports activities Administration.

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Reid was eligible to develop into an unrestricted free agent this weekend following a breakout 12 months on each ends of the court docket for the Timberwolves, who have already got made main investments in large males Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Cities but nonetheless valued Reid’s upside sufficient to make him a well-paid backup.

“Once we struggled early, he was one of many guys that performed effectively,” coach Chris Finch mentioned after the season ended. “He made the system work together with his decision-making, whether or not he performed the ‘4’ or the backup ‘5’ or began. Then when KAT got here again, he naturally settled in as a key bench participant. He was taking part in at a excessive, excessive degree. He simply proved he can play in all these completely different roles, which is efficacious, then clearly only a good system match.”

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Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates his basket whereas Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts within the fourth quarter of the sport at Goal Heart on March 22, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Hawks 125-124. (David Berding/Getty Photos)

Undrafted out of LSU in 2019, the 6-foot-9 Reid has develop into some of the well-liked gamers inside and out of doors the crew for his regular growth, even-keeled demeanor and ferocious dunks. He averaged 11.5 factors and shot 53.7% from the ground in 68 video games in 2022-23, each profession bests.

When Cities missed 52 video games with a strained calf, Reid proved his worth whereas his standing within the rotation was elevated. In 4 video games when his taking part in time topped half-hour, Reid averaged 27 factors and 11 rebounds. After he suffered a damaged left wrist in the course of the closing week of the common season, Reid was clearly missed in Minnesota’s first-round playoff sequence loss to eventual NBA champion Denver.

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Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is guarded by Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors on the Chase Heart on March 26, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Photos)

The Timberwolves had his Hen Rights and thus have been capable of pay him greater than another crew may have supplied in free company when the NBA’s negotiating interval opens on Friday evening, however constant taking part in time was Reid’s highest precedence.

“I simply wish to be put in the perfect match,” he instructed reporters final week. “Clearly cash performs an element, however I positively need to have the ability to develop in a scenario the place I’m used to the perfect of my skills.”