Naz Reid had a productive season as a reserve for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but when the team needed him in the starting lineup due to the absence of All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, he stepped up and excelled in that role as well. Reid’s contributions helped the Timberwolves achieve the second-best season in franchise history, and he was rewarded for his efforts with the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award on Wednesday.
Reid edged out Sacramento’s Malik Monk in a close vote to become the third undrafted player to win the award for the league’s best reserve. Reid averaged career highs of 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 81 games, showcasing his versatility as a forward-center. He came off the bench 67 times, using the early minutes to feel the rhythm of the game before making a significant impact.
“I kind of joke around with my teammates a little bit, but it’s kind of a saying where I feel like we have to keep the momentum going, anyway,” Reid said in an interview on TNT after the award announcement. “Either we got to have the mentality to come back in the game, or to push the lead forward.”
The 6-foot-9 Reid played a crucial role in the Timberwolves’ success, helping them achieve a 56-26 record and secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. They currently hold a 2-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns in their first-round playoff series. Reid’s ability to step into the starting lineup when needed and maintain a high level of play was instrumental in the team’s regular season achievements.
When Towns was injured in March and missed 18 games, the Wolves hardly skipped a beat, going 10-3 from March 16 to April 10. Reid started 12 of those 13 games and averaged 17.1 points on 45.4% shooting, demonstrating his ability to lead the team in Towns’ absence.
Reid received 45 first-place votes, while Monk received 43 from a panel of 99 reporters and broadcasters who cover the league. Both players had 39 second-place votes and 10 third-place votes, giving Reid a total of 352 points to Monk’s 342. Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis Jr. finished third in the voting, followed by Norman Powell of the Clippers and Atlanta’s Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Reid’s journey to the NBA is a testament to his hard work and determination. Undrafted out of LSU in 2019, he initially joined the Timberwolves on a two-way contract. His impressive performances earned him a multiyear contract extension last summer, and this season, he has rewarded the team with 843 points off the bench, the second-most in franchise history.
Reid’s impact goes beyond his statistics. He has become a fan favorite in Minnesota, and his dedication to improving both on and off the court is evident. He has reached 30 points twice this season and has had 20 or more points 14 times, both career bests.
“They’ve seen me work from Day 1,” Reid said of the fans. “Since the moment I got here I changed my body, I changed my mentality, I changed the direction I wanted to go in life. I think they kind of deserve that and I think just being with me, that’s super special.”
With this award, Reid joins John Starks (1996-97) and Darrell Armstrong (1999) as undrafted players to win the Sixth Man award, named for Celtics Hall of Famer John Havlicek. The NBA’s other end-of-season awards will be announced in the coming days, including the Clutch Player Award on Thursday and the Coach of the Year Award on Sunday.
