Power forward: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves
Naz Reid is technically listed as a center but at six-nine, he is more of a power forward than he is a center in today’s NBA. If anything, he could be a small-ball five off the bench for the Lakers in a similar role to Wenyen Gabriel.
A trade like this for the Lakers would be one to simply give the team options. Reid is someone who has not been a marksman from three in his career but has shown the ability to hold his own from beyond the arc. In the two previous seasons combined (not counting this season), Reid shot 34.7% from three. Not great, but if that is the team’s worst three-point shooter on the floor that would be solid.
Reid is an impending free agent and he is only 23 years old. He won’t be worth much on the market and this could be an example of the Lakers getting a young player in the building with the intention of him being a long-term option.
It is not a huge trade and isn’t one that is going to reinvent this basketball team but the price would be extremely cheap. If the Lakers can offload Damian Jones’ contract (which has one more year) then it would be a win.
Lakers trade rumors: Would the Timberwolves trade Naz Reid?
Absolutely. Reid is not playing much of a role on this center-heavy Timberwolves team, which has put him on the trade market. The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly two teams who have shown interest in Reid.