With Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert unavailable on Friday night, Timberwolves center Naz Reid got his first start of the season in Oklahoma City and delivered in a big way. The big man’s 28 points were easily a season high, and he also chipped in nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals. The Wolves outscored the Thunder by 21 points with Reid on the floor in a game they won by just two points.
The performance was a reminder of why the Wolves have been trying to lock up Reid to a contract extension for several months, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter links), who says the 23-year-old’s best play might be to wait for unrestricted free agency.
As we noted when news of Reid’s extension negotiations with the team first broke, Minnesota could offer up to about $58MM over four years, and I’m skeptical he’ll do better than that as a free agent. But perhaps it makes sense for him to see what else is available on the open market, especially if the Wolves’ offers have been modest.
Although Reid is in a contract year, Wolfson doesn’t expect Minnesota to seriously consider trading him before the February deadline, arguing that it would be hard to get fair value for him and noting that the Wolves still have “lofty” goals for this season that Reid can help them achieve (Twitter links).
Here are a few more Timberwolves notes:
- Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic discusses a bevy of Timberwolves-related topics in his latest mailbag, addressing the team’s apparent leadership void, D’Angelo Russell‘s trade value, and Anthony Edwards‘ development, among many other topics. Krawczynski also responds to the recent report that said Patrick Beverley would welcome a return to Minnesota if he’s traded and then bought out, suggesting a reunion this season looks like a “long shot.”
- New Timberwolves sharpshooter Matt Ryan, who signed a two-way contract with the team last Thursday, said earlier this week that everyone in Minnesota has made him feel welcome and that he’s hoping to get more of an opportunity to play than he did with the Lakers. “I thought that I was one of the better shooters on the (Lakers), but the opportunity wasn’t there for whatever reasons,” Ryan said, per Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. “Now coming here, from the feedback I’ve gotten, their three-point shooting is struggling and it’s just, ‘Be ready.'”
- Britt Robson of MinnPost.com takes a look at the “near-comprehensive competence” of forward Kyle Anderson and explores what he has brought to the Timberwolves. Minnesota used most of its mid-level exception to bring in Anderson over the summer.
Trade KAT. Tremendous talent, but his whiny demeanor casts a horrible shadow for the rest of the team. Leadership addition by subtraction.
I really doubted Minnys ability in pre season, I criticised all the talk mainly coming from the players and now I think it’s starting to become evident. This whole row big man thing ain’t going to work for them.
Not that it can’t work at all it’s just this team doesn’t suit it. Look at the pelicans with AD and Boogie they were terrific but that’s because both guys could shoot the three, both could score on the block either at the rim or turn and hit a middy. Defensively they were both good and particularly in AD he could switch and guard almost anyone on the court. They also had Jrue Holiday who could play make, defend and hit shots, they had Rondo who could create easier loos for both guys, they had Mirotic who would space the floor, and Etwaan Moore averaging 14 points per game shooting over 40% from 3.
Obviously injury ruined that team but they had a much better set up to succeed.
Minny don’t have that, Dlo is a score first point guard but is being used as like the 3rd or 4th scoring option. Ant plays the SG spot, isn’t the greatest floor spacer, he’s much more comfortable driving and scoring inside. Then you have a young wing in McDaniels. KAT is at the 4 but he’s not good defensively and can’t really switch down. Offensively yeah he’s a great shooter and can handle the ball but it’s kinda clunky. I think it’s cause they lack a veteran point guard who would help create the better looks, exploit the mismatches and lead the team. Then Gobert at the 5 spot doesn’t do anything on offence except the occasional lob and a put back on an offensive rebound. Defensively he’s a beast but again it’s more his communication and shot blocking, he can switch and guard small but its not the best way to use him.
I just see this side as a 7-10 seed and not one to be afraid of in the playoffs. Play small ball against them, make Gobert and KAT guard you on the perimeter and attack Dlo trying to get inside. Either easy buckets on him or if the defence collapses then kick out.
For example if they have to play GSW in the first round, What do you put Gobert on Green at the top of the perimeter, good luck with that. As if Dlo will keep up with Curry at all. Then even on the wing Wiggins on McDaniels is a win. Down the other end Dray on KAT that’s a good match up for GSW, ANT on Wiggins or Klay, shut up shop.
Idk how you get better but I sure know what they have now won’t cut it