The Timberwolves crossed off one of their major questions in free agency on Sunday in agreeing with center Naz Reid on a new three-year contract worth $42 million, a source confirmed.
Reid, who figured to draw strong interest on the free-agent market, is getting his first significant payday after playing for near the minimum in his first four seasons as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana State.
Other teams might have been able to offer Reid a starting job, but few would have been able to pay the 23-year-old more than their midlevel exception, which is just north of $12 million per season. The Wolves were able to sign Reid to a deal worth $14 million annually because they controlled his Bird Rights, which allow teams to spend over the salary cap to keep their players.
The deal includes a player option for the third season, a source said, which means Reid could seek another lucrative payday in two years.
Likely helping the Wolves come to an agreement with Reid was the increase of the league's luxury tax threshold this week. The NBA originally projected it to be around $162 million but increased that to $165 million, likely giving the Wolves a little more wiggle room in negotiations with Reid. Reid told the Star Tribune recently that he wanted to see what was out there for him in free agency in terms of salary and opportunity.
"I just want to be put in the best fit," Reid said last week. "Obviously money plays a part, but I definitely want to be able to develop in a situation where I'm used to the best of my abilities."
There was a strong bond between him and the Wolves organization, the team that signed him and developed him. Reid is also good friends with multiple members on the team including Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, who he said were campaigning hard for him to stay.
"As the time goes on, the years go by, you look for a higher role, better situations than you were in if you've obviously outgrown them," Reid said on June 15. "So, I would love to stay back in Minnesota, but it's just like we got to find a position for it."