Lakers predicted to acquire $41 million Timberwolves 6MOY to support Luka, LeBron
Los Angeles Lakers
DEAN SIMON
Dec 2, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) dribbles against the Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently situated as the Western Conference’s No. 4 seed, sporting a 35-21 record after their latest 107-99 victory against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.
Though the Lakers have enjoyed a productive season and are currently riding a three-game win streak, their general manager Rob Pelinka could already be looking ahead to this offseason to fix a pressing personnel issue.
Due to the Lakers’ lack of center depth following the trade that shipped Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Luka Dončić prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline, their front office could decide to pursue a talented frontcourt scoring threat that has emerged as one of the smoothest offensive operators at his position from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Naz Reid.
While he’s been sensational this season for the Timberwolves, recent reports have indicated that the skilled scorer will decline his player option for the 2025-26 season and test free agency this summer, opening the door for Pelinka to pick him up as the team’s center of the future.
“The wheels have certainly not fallen off with (Jaxson) Hayes starting. However, the sixth-year pro is far from the long term answer at the position,” FanSided’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote Tuesday.
“What about Naz Reid?”
“The talent pool of available free agent centers for the Lakers to pursue in the offseason is a little lackluster. Reid could be the best option of the bunch, excluding (Indiana Pacers’) Myles Turner.”
“The current Sixth Man of the Year would be an attractive addition for the Lakers and should theoretically fit well with the team.”
At 25 years old, Reid is averaging a career-best 14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists on a remarkable 60.1% true shooting percentage this season for Minnesota following his Sixth Man of the Year campaign last season.
As a lethal offensive threat off the bench, Reid has further increased his production while assuming a larger role due to the trade that sent superstar center Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves to the New York Knicks this past offseason.
Reid’s hypothetical acquisition by Los Angeles would likely lead to positive production that is conducive to winning, but there are still certain roadblocks that could prevent a signing from taking place.
One of these reasons is due to Los Angeles’ probable inability to give Reid his desired salary, as he’d be declining his player option with the thought of seeing an increase in annual pay.
If the Lakers are able to strike a deal with the improving big man, it would possibly be due to Reid’s desire to win and play with such incredible talents like Dončić and LeBron James who could bring his production to new heights.
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Dean Simon is a contributing journalist for The Sporting News. Dean is a graduate of Stockton University, receiving a bachelors degree in Communication Studies with a focus on Journalism and Media Studies. He has previously written for publications such as LastWordOnSports and
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Lakers rumors: Ideal center target expected to be available this summer
Well, well, well, what do we have here? It’s another conversation about the Los Angeles Lakers having a potential answer to the problem in the frontcourt. It’s a tiresome talking point, but it is not one that will go away any time soon.
Barring a miracle, the Lakers are largely committed to the group they have for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season. Whether JJ Redick and his staff can scheme around their current center rotation and compete for an NBA title this season remains to be seen.
No matter the result that ultimately finds the Lakers in 2024-25, it would be surprising if Rob Pelinka and his crew did not address the center situation to some capacity during the 2025 offseason.
Jaxson Hayes has been thrust into the role of being the stopgap for the Lakers up front while they figure things out. The big man has been solid, yet unspectacular.
Hayes has averaged 7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks during the 20.2 minutes per game in the five-game sample size since Luka Doncic debuted with the Lakers. It should be noted that one of those contests was cut short due to injury.
The wheels have certainly not fallen off with Hayes starting. However, the sixth-year pro is far from the long term answer at the position.
What about Naz Reid?
The talent pool of available free agent centers for the Lakers to pursue in the offseason is a little lackluster. Reid could be the best option of the bunch, excluding Myles Turner. However, if there is one thing that recent history continues to teach NBA fans it’s that Turner donning purple and gold is just not meant to be.
The good news is that Jake Fischer has reported that Reid is expected to be available this offseason.
“Reid … possesses a $15 million player option for 2025-26 that many of those same strategists expect he’ll decline in search of a richer arrangement in the summer,” Fischer wrote in his latest rumor mill roundup.
The NBA insider indicated it will be tough for the Minnesota Timberwolves to retain both Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker when there is a belief that Julius Randle is ‘best-suited to exercise his $31 million player option for 2025-26.’
The current Sixth Man of the Year would be an attractive addition for the Lakers and should theoretically fit well with the team. However, this move would come with its fair share of complications as well.
The Lakers’ cap situation is not ideal heading into the 2025 offseason. Fischer has indicated part of the reasoning for Reid declining his player option would be a raise. The Lakers could have difficulty offering that without some sort of sign-and-trade. With the Timberwolves’ financial situation being the reason they would potentially let go of Reid, the two sides would likely need some help in any potential endeavor.
Naz Reid.
All that being said, the Wolves big man may prove worth to be the trouble, if Pelinka and the Lakers front office set their sights on the versatile frontcourt talent.
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Naz Reid could solve the Lakers’ issues down low
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Odds Show Clear Favorite To Land Naz Reid If He Leaves Timberwolves
Naz Reid may opt out of his $15 million player option, potentially entering free agency and leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves. The San Antonio Spurs are the current frontrunners to sign him, with overwhelming odds of +400, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks at +700. Reid, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, is averaging 14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists this season, making him an attractive target for multiple teams.
Reid’s decision to opt-out could lead to significant changes in his career, potentially moving to a team where he could start rather than coming off the bench. There may be a rush from multiple franchises to secure him before the start of free agency.
As Reid evaluates his options, the growing interest from teams like the Spurs could signal a pivotal change for his career, allowing him the opportunity to become a central figure on a new roster.
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Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards receives his second technical foul of the game in the third quarter in Los Angeles and would throw the ball into the crowd. This is Ant’s 16th tech of the season, which will cause him to be suspended for the Timberwolves’ next game. Subscribe to ESPN+ http://espnplus.com/youtube Get the ESPN App: http://www.espn.com/espn/apps/espn Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV
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