Naz Reid is staying in Minnesota.
Recent reports indicate that the former Jelly Femme and New Jersey native has signed a five-year deal worth $125 million to remain with the Timberwolves.
Bobby Marks, who specializes in salary cap analysis at ESPN, noted that the Timberwolves’ projected tax bill will be $23 million, which is a significant drop from last season’s $141 million tax obligation.
This new contract is a strong commitment to the 26-year-old forward, who had attracted interest from various teams across the NBA.
The Timberwolves are likely to find themselves in a challenging salary cap situation following this agreement, with a team salary close to $206 million. This also ties into Julius Randle’s player option, estimated at around $30 million, which he could choose to decline when free agency hits, possibly affecting the team’s structure going forward.
Randle joined Minnesota through a trade involving Karl-Anthony Towns, so his situation adds an interesting layer to the team dynamics.
Reid’s return is anticipated to make a positive impact on the roster, which many fans are excited about.
Additionally, Rudy Gobert is in the midst of finalizing a three-year extension worth $105 million for next season.
This increase in salary commitments could complicate efforts to retain Randle, especially with Reid potentially taking on a significant role off the bench. The Timberwolves may need to get creative with their cap management.
Last season, Reid averaged a career-best 14.2 points with shooting percentages of 46.2% overall, and 37.9% from three-point range.
He was recognized as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2024, helping the Timberwolves reach the Western Conference Finals, ultimately falling to the champion Thunder for the second consecutive year in 2025.
