NBA
NBA Rumors: Will Naz Reid Exercise Player Option With Timberwolves For 2025-26?
Published31 May 2025
The Minnesota Timberwolves face an NBA offseason of uncertainty after coming up short in the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season. They will likely look to retool around superstar guard Anthony Edwards, and a number of players carry question marks when it comes to their futures with the team.
Will Naz Reid Test The Free Agency Waters This NBA Offseason?
Will Julius Randle be back? Will Nickeil Alexander-Walker walk in free agency?
Those questions still need to be answered, in addition to what will happen with Naz Reid. The 25-year-old power forward is a season removed from winning the NBA 6th Man of the Year Award, and saw a production increase in 2024-25 that made him one of the top contributors on Minnesota’s roster.
There’s a “strong sense” that the Timberwolves want to retain Naz Reid and Julius Randle, per @AmicoHoops
(https://t.co/CaVoU6uaq6) pic.twitter.com/LufWoa4Eib
— Fullcourt (@Fullcourt) May 31, 2025
He retained his role of coming off of the bench. Reid started just 17 games this past season, all of which came when Randle was out during the entire month of February. He upped his average to 18.3 points per game during that stretch, proving that he belongs as a starter in the league.
Will Naz Reid be looking for a new home this summer in hopes of locking down a starting spot? The 2025-26 season is the last of a three-year deal that he signed a couple of summers back, but it has a player option attached. Should Reid opt in, he’ll spend one more season in Minnesota, and will earn just over $15 million in salary.
The Detroit Pistons are expected to show interest in a stretch big, such as Myles Turner or Naz Reid, per @TheSteinLine
“The Pistons are among the teams with interest in Timberwolves big man Reid, league sources say. Detroit is known to covet a floor-spacing big man and,… pic.twitter.com/GrKCYNRHBM
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 31, 2025
But, depending on the situation with Julius Randle, he would likely be relegated to a bench role yet again. Would that be something that Reid would be interested in? During his exit interview early last week, he answered the question of whether or not he viewed himself as a starter in the NBA:
Yes, 100 percent. 100 percent. But sometimes, if you want to be in a winning position, sometimes you might have to sacrifice. I definitely view myself as a starter.
It is unclear how robust the market would be for Reid should he opt out, and whether any potential contending teams would be the ones offering the big money. He values winning, based on his comments, and could sacrifice a starting spot for one more year if he believes in the Timberwolves’ chances in 2025-26.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Detroit Pistons should be on the hunt for a stretch big this offseason, for which Naz Reid certainly fits the bill.
