'Right now, nothing': Timberwolves' Naz Reid downplays his 2nd 6MOTY pursuit, talks expanded role following KAT's departure (Exclusive)
Should the Timberwolves build off of last season’s appearance to the Western Conference Finals, it won’t just depend on Anthony Edwards sharpening his endurance level.
For the Wolves to absorb Karl-Anthony Towns’ absence, it won’t just hinge on a bruising playmaker (Julius Randle) and a 3-point shooter (Donte DiVincenzo) proving they were worthy trade replacements.
It will also be based on Wolves forward/center Naz Reid, who can build off of last season which entailed winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year by offering consistent secondary scoring and defense.
“This summer was big for him,” Wolves veteran point guard Mike Conley said. “And now that his role will expand, we’re going to need him to show that. We’re going to need him to carry that weight. We’re a different team this year. We’re not the same team. We don’t have the same bodies. We need guys to step up, and he’s going to be one of them.”
As they experienced in their 110-103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena, the Wolves have an extensive to-do list with adapting to Towns’ departure. Minnesota hardly nurses many questions with Reid, who won last season’s 6th Man of the Year award partly because of his adaptability. Not surprising then that Reid posted 12 points and four rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.
“He continues to impress me every year,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said.
“He really does. Every year he starts the season with some kind of murkiness around his exact role. And he’s always kind of seized it and made the best out of it to take it to another level.”
Reid spoke to Sportskeeda about his off-season preparation to take his game to another level, adapting without Towns and his early observations about Randle and DiVincenzo adjusting to the group.
Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.
Mike just said in the group scrum that he was really impressed with your off-season work. What did you do?
Reid: “I had a pretty decent summer. I just worked on my all-around game for different possibilities and situations that I would be in. It was a good summer for me. I’m excited. I feel like the season has come super fast. But I’m ready. I think we all are. We had an early pre-season game. It was our first week or two back, and we already had a pre-season game. But after our first two pre-season games, it slowed down. So we’re here now.”
When you say you are prepared for different situations, what are those different possibilities?
Reid: “Whether I play at the four or five. Whether it’s the first group, second group or third group that I’m going to be in. With every situation, whether I have to bring the ball up and delay, there are different types of situations. I’m knowing my role. If I’m at the 4, I’m going to be handling the ball a little bit, shooting the ball and passing the ball. I’m getting into our offense a little bit. But if I’m at the 5, it’ll be pretty much the same thing. But I’m getting other people involved. I’m getting into action and getting second-side things going on offense. Then I’m quarterbacking the defense if I’m at the 5. I’m seeing things that guys can’t see when they’re behind them.
What’s your comfort level with having a bigger role after the KAT trade?
Reid: “I’m super comfortable. Me and KAT do a lot of similar things. With him being here and gone, it’s the same thing for me and the same mentality. I kind of view it as the same thing. More minutes. Same thing, though. Next man up. That’s my mentality. I’m going to go out there and compete at a higher level, control the game and win the games and go out there and do what I do.”
What will you miss about playing with KAT?
Reid: “Oh man. Just his unselfishness. He’s super unselfish on and off the court. Off the court, he is there for you. On the court, he’s good with his passing and things of that nature. He’s super unselfish. His personality shows it a lot. That’s the biggest part you miss about him.”
Julius and Donte are great players. But as someone who stepped into KAT’s shoes when he was out with injuries, how do you help them get adjusted?
Reid: “Just trying to help them as much as possible. I’ve been in the system for six years now. So I know what it’s like to be in the ins and outs and all of that other stuff. They’re picking it up pretty well, though. So pretty much at the end of the day, every team does the same thing. So I’m just trying to give as much advice as I can. But they already are ahead of schedule.
They’ve been doing it themselves. They fit in pretty well. With Donte being in my group, he’s picked up the plays and knows situations. He knows when to cut, when to shoot and things of that nature. For Dante, it’s pretty easy. Julius, I haven’t gotten a chance to play with him as much. But I think he’ll be ready. He knows a lot of our plays already. It's a lot. We put in at least 20 plays. So for him to know it all, I think he’s ready. I’m impressed with how aggressive he is. He can pass out of being aggressive. He can score the ball. He’s a good guy, even off the court. On defense, he’s another long body that we can have on any offensive player.”
What did last year’s Sixth Man of the Year award mean to you?
Reid: “Right now, nothing. I have to accomplish another goal. That’s to get another one and to win. I obviously want both. Last year is last year. I got different goals and aspirations this year. That’s to win. We got to the Western Conference Finals. But that’s not the end game. That’s not the end goal.”
What lessons do you take with both advancing to the Western Conference Finals, but losing in five games to Dallas?
Reid: “Knowing what it takes as far as taking care of your body and understanding what time and situation you’re in. What time of the season. All of those experiences from that standpoint. That’s something that we can build off of. We’re a deep team. We’re a team that can go pretty far. We can go as far as we take ourselves. I think we just go out and compete at a higher level and show that we’re a Western Conference Finals team and not just getting there one time.
All 15 players, head coach, coaching staff and training staff, everybody has to be on the same page. Everybody has to be locked in on the same board. We know what it took last year to get to that situation. Now we have to take that next step and leap. I think everybody is ready and excited to be in this position. I think we went from ‘hunting’ to ‘being the hunted now.’ That’s exciting because you get to see a different aspect of basketball from our side.”
Do I take what you say correctly that now it’s about everyone honing in on the small things?
Reid: “Absolutely. Small things are the big things. The little things are things people don’t want to do. But they’re huge. I think everybody is willing to do it. I think the mindset is going to be different this year than it was in the past years. I think everybody is going to be hungry. I think everybody is excited to be in this position. Once you get a taste of winning, you want to keep doing that. Winning is fun. I think that’s something we all want to do.”
Your other goal with winning another Sixth Man: what will it take?
Reid: “A lot. There are a lot of guys out there that are competing at the same level, if not higher. Or at least trying to be higher. But I have to have the same killer mindset and go out there and compete. Obviously, that comes with winning. So it’s about winning games as well. If so, you can get all of those accomplishments.”
You’ve been a fan favorite with the tattoos and the signs. How have you soaked all of that in?
Reid: “It’s been amazing since I ever got here my rookie year. It’s just gone up and up and up. I guess it’s because of the dedication and all of the hard work that I’ve put in. They’ve seen me, and my hard work since I have gotten here. So I’m appreciative to everyone who has supported me in that way. Obviously, there is more to come.”
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.