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Timberwolves’ Naz Reid looks like a starting center … and a good one

jace frederick, pioneer press
·6 min read
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Austin Rivers effectively sent out an alert to the league after one or two days of training camp with Naz Reid. The veteran guard wasn’t entirely familiar with the young center’s game, but was blown away after getting an up-close-and-personal look at Reid.

“Like after first day. I called my father (76ers coach Doc Rivers), I called a whole bunch of people this whole entire season,” Rivers said. “I was like, ‘Yo, this dude is like a big-time player, like a starting five.’ ”

Rivers noted Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly likely wouldn’t enjoy such positive comments. Reid is an impending free agent, and glowing commentary likely only drives up the price to retain the 6-foot-9, 265-pound center’s services. But Reid is earning himself enough money with his recent play on the floor.

Thrust into Minnesota’s starting lineup because of the injuries to Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, the 23-year-old is playing the part of an NBA-caliber starting center — and an upper-echelon one, at that. Reid produced 28 points and nine rebounds in Friday’s 112-110 win in Oklahoma City. He then scored Minnesota’s first 10 points before exiting with neck and shoulder tightness in the team’s 150-126 home win Sunday over Chicago.

Reid’s status was up in the air heading into Monday’s game against Dallas, but when Edwards asked the young center before the game if he was in, Reid quickly confirmed he was. He was still sore, but there was no way Reid wasn’t going to show up to the fight.

“I take a lot of pride (in that). I mean, shoot, team, they tell me every day how much or how big of a player I am and to those big moments and things like that,” Reid said. “I take a lot of pride in that as well and just coming to be ready for them. I want to have each and every one of their backs day in and day out when they go to war.”

“Him saying that with his chest out make me feel like I’m finna go out here and kill for Naz,” Edwards said. “That’s just how we feel right now.”

Reid is the one doing the killing on the court right now. He indeed returned to action Monday and lit the Mavericks up to the tune of 27 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot in 40 minutes. Reid is currently unstoppable on the offensive end, all while anchoring Minnesota’s resurgent high-wall pick-and-roll defense.

“He was great. He was really good. He was up, he was active, he had great hands,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “He did a great job of recovering. Really, really pleased again with him. Whatever we ask him to do, he just keeps delivering.”

At a higher and higher level with each passing season. An undrafted addition in 2019, Reid’s game has grown exponentially with each passing year. That’s something Finch has appreciated about him since the coach arrived in Minnesota.

“Whether it be being more comfortable with himself, whether it be learning the league, whether it be adding strength, whether it be just really settling into our offense, he’s a worker,” Finch said during the preseason. “Naz is making himself into a heck of a player.”

He just hadn’t had enough opportunities to show that through the first third of this season. Buried behind Gobert and Towns, Reid’s minutes were sporadic. It’s hard to find a rhythm when that’s the case. But now given a chance to flash his full abilities over the course of a game, the center is thriving.

Since December, Reid’s per-36-minute numbers are impressive — 23.4 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 58.4 percent from the field and 44 percent on three-point shots. The rebounding numbers, specifically, stand out. Because that was a weakness of Reid’s to this point in his career.

But over his three starts, he has grabbed a gaudy 22.7 percent of available defensive rebounds. That was an area of emphasis for the big man this summer.

“I feel like I’m stronger with the ball. I’m grabbing it with two hands. Being able to grab it out of people’s hands at times,” Reid said in the preseason. “I feel like my hand strength has definitely gotten better. I’ve gotten bigger, wider with it, still being able to keep my same speed and those things.”

It’s the latest step in his steady evolution. Edwards noted how talented Reid was when the two played on the same AAU circuit. That’s never been the question. But there were concerns over Reid’s work ethic that caused him to go undrafted. But those have been unfounded at the pro level, as Reid as has identified and worked on weaknesses at every step.

The Reid that finishes a season is never anywhere near as good as the version that steps onto the floor at the following training camp.

“I’ve put the work in this summer. Big, big-time work. Day in and day out. Extra reps in the gym. Just going hard. And it’s showing, it’s paying off,” Reid said in the preseason. “And, I mean, it’s just the beginning, but I’ve been working this summer and I’m just ready to show it and be able to do what I can do, and show what I can do with no barriers.”

Minnesota is now getting a front-row seat to those abilities over extended playing time. Finch noted this is a useful evaluation period — one that will only continue moving forward. While Gobert’s return from a sprained ankle appears imminent, Finch told KFXN-100.3’s Paul Allen on Tuesday that Towns is not close to returning to action from his calf strain.

“I would say we’re definitely a multitude of weeks out,” Finch said.

In past years, that would’ve been a death sentence for Minnesota. Now, it’s just proving to be more opportunity for Reid to demonstrate how dominant he can be.

“He a big time player,” Rivers said. “He’s a dude that can go somewhere, and like he’s huge. He has everything in his game. The handle, you just don’t see centers doing that. I had no idea he was that good. I’m glad I know now. And I’m glad he’s on our team.”

At least for now. If he continues to play like this, Reid may soon size himself out of Minnesota’s payroll and roster situation and move onto bigger and better things. This is the type of talent that simply cannot be left on the bench.

“I’m only getting better,” Reid said in the preseason. “Sky is the limit. I haven’t even scratched the surface yet.”

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