Latest news with #AnthonyEdwards
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Naz Reid agrees to 5-year, $125 million deal to stay with Timberwolves: Report
Naz Reid has signed a five-year, $125 million contract to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Reid could've exercised a $15 million player option to stay with the Timberwolves. Instead, he has agreed to a deal to perhaps keep him with Minnesota for years. Per Charania, the new contract also includes a player option. After winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award after a breakout 2023-24 campaign, the 6-foot-9, 264-pound Reid authored an impressive encore, averaging 14.2 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes per game, all career highs, as an integral frontcourt contributor for a Wolves team that made its second straight run to the Western Conference finals. The sixth-year pro has turned into one of the NBA's premier reserves, serving as a high-volume, high-efficiency stretch big who has fit snugly at power forward and center next to a variety of partners over the years — Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, T.J. Warren, et al. When Reid checks into the game, he provides a welcome and immediate injection of 3-point variance, downhill driving and interior finishing — all while helping to space the floor for Minnesota superstar Anthony Edwards. Advertisement Reid can allow a team to play twin-towers lineups built around a screen-and-dive center without sacrificing spacing, or to run five-out small-ball looks without punting on rim protection and defensive rebounding — an unassuming and devastatingly effective Allen key to unlock whichever lineup combination might be most effective on any given night. And while he isn't necessarily thought of as a top-flight rim protector and interior defender on his own, his strength and lateral quickness have made him an effective switch defender on the perimeter; the Wolves have allowed fewer points per possession with him on the floor than off it in five of his six pro seasons, and he's long posted above-average block and steal rates for a big man. 'Defensively, Naz has been outstanding,' Wolves head coach Chris Finch told reporters in the spring of 2024. 'He has taken a lot of different matchups, and in his switching, Naz creates a lot of transition opportunities for us. We don't get a ton of those and he is responsible for a lot of it, whether it is pushing it [via passing and dribbling] or at the end of it [with the finish]. And he is just a ball-mover; he has that dynamic quality for our offense.' That combination of shooting, complementary frontcourt playmaking and possession-ending defensive work is pretty rare. Last season, only seven players in the NBA made 150 3-pointers, dished 150 assists, blocked 50 shots and snagged 50 steals: three MVPs (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Kevin Durant), a two-time All-NBA selection (Edwards), two universally beloved 3-and-D players on nine-figure contracts (Derrick White and OG Anunoby) … and Reid. Advertisement That's awfully lofty company for Reid — who turns 26 in August, just entering his prime, with plenty more developmental runway still ahead of him — and the kind of heights few anticipated he'd reach when he signed with the Wolves as an undrafted free agent out of LSU in the summer of 2019.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Naz Reid agrees to new five-year, $125 million deal to stay with Timberwolves: Report
Naz Reid has signed a new five-year, $125 million contract to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN's Sham Charania. Reid had the choice to exercise a $15 million player option to stay with the Timberwolves. Instead, he has agreed to a deal to keep him with Minnesota long-term. Per Charania, the new contract also includes a player option. After winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award after a breakout 2023-24 campaign, the 6-foot-9, 264-pound Reid authored an impressive encore, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes per game, all career highs, as an integral frontcourt contributor for a Wolves team that made its second straight run to the Western Conference finals. The sixth-year pro has turned into one of the NBA's premier reserves, serving as a high-volume, high-efficiency stretch big who has fit snugly at power forward and center next to a variety of partners over the years — Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, T.J. Warren, et al. When Reid checks into the game, he provides a welcome and immediate injection of 3-point variance, downhill driving and interior finishing — all while helping to space the floor for Minnesota superstar Anthony Edwards. Advertisement Reid can allow a team to play twin-towers lineups built around a screen-and-dive center without sacrificing spacing, or to run five-out small-ball looks without punting on rim protection and defensive rebounding — an unassuming and devastatingly effective Allen key to unlock whichever lineup combination might be most effective on any given night. And while he isn't necessarily thought of as a top-flight rim protector and interior defender on his own, his strength and lateral quickness have made him an effective switch defender on the perimeter; the Wolves have allowed fewer points per possession with him on the floor than off of it in five of his six pro seasons, and he's long posted above-average block and steal rates for a big man. 'Defensively, Naz has been outstanding,' Wolves head coach Chris Finch told reporters in the spring of 2024. 'He has taken a lot of different matchups, and in his switching, Naz creates a lot of transition opportunities for us. We don't get a ton of those and he is responsible for a lot of it, whether it is pushing it [via passing and dribbling] or at the end of it [with the finish]. And he is just a ball-mover; he has that dynamic quality for our offense.' That combination of shooting, complementary frontcourt playmaking and possession-ending defensive work is pretty rare. Last season, only seven players in the NBA made 150 3-pointers, dished 150 assists, blocked 50 shots and snagged 50 steals: three MVPs (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Kevin Durant), a two-time All-NBA selection (Edwards), two universally beloved 3-and-D players on nine-figure contracts (Derrick White and OG Anunoby) … and Reid. Advertisement That's awfully lofty company for Reid — who turns 26 in August, just entering his prime, with plenty more developmental runway still ahead of him — and the kind of heights few anticipated he'd reach when he signed with the Wolves as an undrafted free agent out of LSU in the summer of 2019. 'To see where Naz was three, four years ago and to see where he is now, he's only at that place because of a tremendous work ethic,' Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said back in 2023. 'He's become obsessed with the game, obsessed with keeping his body right. Anytime you surround some of your best players with guys who are as impactful culturally and on the court as Naz, you do everything you can to keep those guys.'
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
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Anthony Edwards Has 2-Word Message on Timberwolves Ownership News
Anthony Edwards Has 2-Word Message on Timberwolves Ownership News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. One of the NBA's most promising young stars, Anthony Edwards could have been at a crossroads with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Advertisement A four-year saga involving the sale of the team put many questions into the heads of fans. Rumors of the team leaving Minnesota for warmer weather have often cropped up -- and Glen Taylor had served as the last bastion in preventing that over the years. However, after Taylor agreed to a $1.5 billion transfer of ownership of the team to Alex Rodriguez and Mark Lore in 2021, the Wolves became Western Conference contenders with Edwards at the heart of the franchise. An ugly legal battle described as "bitter" and "emotional" played out over the terms of the transfer, conjuring more concerns about the future of the franchise and alienating Edwards with its dysfunction. Advertisement However, the NBA's Board of Governors officially authorized the sale of the team this week, prompting the Timberwolves to begin getting Rodriguez and Mark Lore front and center on the team's social media. Edwards reacted to the news with a two-word message that spoke volumes to his thoughts on the Wolves franchise. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards.© Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Sharing a photo of the new owners on his Instagram story, Edwards replied with the caption: "Congrats Sac (an acronym meaning 'Solid as Concrete')." Edwards' approval of the new ownership bodes well for his prospects in Minnesota so long as the Timberwolves remain competitive. Lore and Rodriguez had a sit-down with broadcaster Michael Grady outlining their goals for the franchise. Advertisement While they listed many items they want to address, the plan Lore wanted fans to hear the loudest? "We are not moving the team, ever. We are never moving the team," he reiterated. They also discussed returning to the Western Conference Finals and becoming a respected and admired organization in the world by building a better franchise that mirrors what fans want. Lore and Rodriguez were behind hiring former Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, who has facilitated several trades that have pushed the Wolves into the center of the Western Conference playoffs. Related: Timberwolves Get Major Joan Beringer News After NBA Draft Related: Rudy Gobert Reacts to Timberwolves Drafting His Potential Replacement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Timberwolves Projected to Gamble on Joan Beringer in NBA Mock Draft
Timberwolves Projected to Gamble on Joan Beringer in NBA Mock Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves enter the 2025 NBA Draft searching for the right pieces for their puzzle. After the team nearly reached the NBA Finals the past two postseasons, their priority is to keep building a talented roster around star Anthony Edwards. Advertisement That may start with securing some of the players they currently have, including Naz Reid and Julius Randle. They have player options in their contracts to opt into or out of to test free agency, but the team would prefer to keep them on the roster. There's also the potential for trades, which are likely to arrive during the NBA Draft. Minnesota holds the No. 17 pick, and could decide to shop that with a few roster members to add another star player with Edwards. Some fans and analysts may believe drafting or trading for a veteran point guard is a priority due to Mike Conley's age. Others believe that the Wolves should stick with who they have for now, and draft a backup big man for the future. French draft prospect Joan Beringer dunking the ball during One prospect recently linked to Minnesota is French center Joan Beringer. The 18-year-old is listed at 6-foot-11 without shoes and played for Cedevita Olimpija this past season. Advertisement He could be a gamble for any team to draft, due to a small sample size which shows he's still improving his skills on offense. Beringer averaged just 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds during his international play in Slovenia. On they mention his 7-foot-2 wingspan, and a "blend of size, mobility, and defensive upside" seemingly have him rising up the draft board ahead of the event. However, they also refer to Beringer as the draft's biggest "mystery" due to various teams wondering if he's worth the early risk. In NBC Sports' new mock draft, they contend that Gobert's primary backup, Reid, isn't the best defender. NBC Sports suggests that Beringer would be the sort of player that the Timberwolves could draft to develop as a backup rim protector. Beringer hadn't popped up with the Wolves in many NBA mock drafts, and was instead predicted to go to several teams above them. In ESPN's mock draft, NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony projects the San Antonio Spurs will select him with the No. 14 pick, while NBADraft suggested he could go at No. 15 to the Thunder. Advertisement If he falls to the Wolves, he seems like a risk worth taking, as he's considered the best shot blocker in the draft. ESPN also mentioned his measurements at 18 are similar to those of current pros Jaren Jackson Jr. and Myles Turner. If Beringer is not available, there's been a variety of prospects named in mock drafts as the Timberwolves' projected pick at No. 17. They've included Georgetown's Thomas Sorber, UConn's Liam McNeeley, Maryland Derik Queen, and Georgia's Asa Newell. At the Timberwolves' subreddit, fans continue to debate whether they'd rather see the team select a talented guard, wing, or big man in the draft. There doesn't seem to be much of a consensus, as anything could happen. Advertisement A lot will depend on how things shake out after the first three picks, and whether or not there are trades down the line. Minnesota will certainly have some intriguing options, should they keep their pick on Wednesday night. Related: Anthony Edwards is Among Jeremiah Fears' Most Anticipated NBA Opponents Related: NBA Mock Draft Predicts Timberwolves Will Pick UConn's Liam McNeeley This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brian Windhorst Drops Eye-Opening Take on Anthony Edwards and Timberwolves' Future
Brian Windhorst Drops Eye-Opening Take on Anthony Edwards and Timberwolves' Future originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves enter the offseason fresh off back-to-back losses in the Western Conference Finals. Due to their repeated lack of success in reaching the NBA Finals, some fans and analysts believed they needed a major roster overhaul, such as trading for Kevin Durant. Advertisement However, KD didn't have an interest in playing for Minnesota, and instead got traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the only trades the Timberwolves made involved their second-round picks in the NBA Draft. And with that recent draft, they picked up several international centers that will take time to develop in Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky. Those aren't earth-shattering picks that will shake up the league or immediately boost Minnesota, although there's always the potential that they become noticeably good later in their careers. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5)© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images A positive for the Timberwolves is that they have yet to lose any key players from a talented roster still on the cusp of competing for the NBA Championship. As of this writing, Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Nikeil Alexander-Walker are all on the team, despite being mentioned in various trade speculation or free agency rumors. Advertisement There's also NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards, who is among the league's best players. According to ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, Ant-Man is expected to continue improving. During First Take, Windhorst shared his thoughts on the Timberwolves' chances of reaching the NBA Finals with Edwards as their star player. He indicated Minnesota is "set up to continue to be very competitive." "I still believe Ant is getting better. I think his game and his leadership is getting better," he said. Windhorst also speculated that Randle would opt in to remain with the Wolves instead of testing free agency and that the team would "prioritize" re-signing Reid. However, he didn't feel as confident that Alexander-Walker would be playing for Minnesota next season. Advertisement "While I look at the Thunder and say that's gonna be a very difficult team to overcome, I have seen Ant repeatedly be able to be a leader in postseason settings," he said on First Take. Along with that, Windhorst said the Timberwolves are "built out as a team and have an elite executive that is leading them." He said that he still believes they have a challenging task ahead to get through the Western Conference, but they are capable of reaching the NBA Finals behind Edwards. Other conference contenders have potentially improved during this offseason, including the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. While Houston added superstar KD to their talented roster, the Mavs drafted Duke's Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 pick is expected to make an instant impact alongside All-Star players Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Advertisement However, not all moves work out for a roster, and even if they do, they don't always translate to immediate success for a team until everything is clicking. For the Timberwolves, it seems they have everything in place to reach the next level behind Edwards. However, the addition of a star point guard should probably be a significant consideration with Mike Conley nearing the end of his career. Related: Timberwolves Fans React to Joan Beringer as No. 17 Pick in NBA Draft Related: Timberwolves Facing Backlash After NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
