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MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves have stored heart 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, which was struck Sunday night time, was confirmed Monday by Reid’s brokers, Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports activities Administration.
Reid was eligible to grow to be an unrestricted free agent this weekend following a breakout yr on each ends of the courtroom for the Timberwolves, who have already got made main investments in massive 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 along 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 effective, then clearly only a good system match.”
Undrafted out of LSU in 2019, the 6-foot-9 Reid has grow to be some of the fashionable gamers inside and outdoors the group for his regular improvement, 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 collection loss to eventual NBA champion Denver.
The Timberwolves had his Fowl Rights and thus have been capable of pay him greater than some other group might have provided in free company when the NBA’s negotiating interval opens on Friday night time, however constant taking part in time was Reid’s highest precedence.
“I simply need to be put in the most effective match,” he instructed reporters final week. “Clearly cash performs an element, however I undoubtedly need to have the ability to develop in a state of affairs the place I’m used to the most effective of my skills.”
The Timberwolves additionally drafted 6-foot-10 undertaking Leonard Miller within the second spherical (thirty third total choose) of the NBA draft final week. The 19-year-old from Toronto averaged 16.9 factors and 10.1 rebounds in 38 video games final season for his G League Ignite group.
Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly mentioned Monday at an introductory information convention for Miller that he envisions him having the ability to play each ahead spots in addition to heart.
“I do know he can guard three positions,” Connelly mentioned, “after which offensively we’ll let coach Finch decide the place he can finest be employed.”
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