In the wake of mounting speculation about his future with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Naz Reid has broken his silence—addressing fans and media with a measured but confident response as he nears a major career decision.
Reid, coming off a career-best season that earned him the 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, is reportedly expected to decline his $15 million player option for the 2025–26 season, which would make him an unrestricted free agent. His breakout performance this year—averaging 14.2 points, 6 rebounds, and shooting over 37% from beyond the arc—has drawn interest from several teams around the league, including the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and San Antonio Spurs.
In a statement shared with local media Tuesday, Reid emphasized that he has not ruled out staying in Minnesota.
“Minnesota is home to me right now. I’ve grown a lot here. The fans, my teammates, the coaches—they’ve all helped me reach this point,” Reid said. “I know there’s talk about what’s next, but I’m keeping all options open. I just want to be in a situation where I can continue to grow and help win.”
That measured but sincere comment reflects the complex situation surrounding Reid. With the Timberwolves facing luxury tax pressure and already making major moves—most notably, trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo—there’s an ongoing evaluation of how Reid fits into the franchise’s future plans, both financially and on the court.
When asked about his role on a potentially crowded frontcourt alongside Randle and Rudy Gobert, Reid was diplomatic:
“I’ve always prided myself on being ready, whether I’m starting or coming off the bench. I think I’ve shown that I can play with anybody. But yeah, every player wants to have a bigger role if it makes sense. We’ll see how it all plays out.”
President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly recently said the Timberwolves are “cautiously optimistic” about retaining Reid and noted that “he wants to be here.” That mutual interest may lead to contract negotiations that prioritize flexibility—possibly through a sign-and-trade or a restructured long-term deal starting near $20 million annually.
Still, Reid made it clear that while money matters, opportunity and team direction are just as important to him:
“This is the prime of my career. Wherever I am next season, I want to keep building on what I’ve done. Winning matters. Playing with the right group matters.”
As the June 29 deadline for his option decision looms, Reid remains one of the most intriguing players on the free-agent market—not only because of his production, but because of how seamlessly his game fits into today’s NBA.
For now, though, Timberwolves fans can take some comfort in knowing that Reid hasn’t closed the door on staying. Whether that door remains open, or swings wide for a new opportunity elsewhere, depends on what both sides are willing—and able—to do in the coming weeks.
