Northwest Notes: Reid, McDaniels, Finch, Jazz Contracts

Re-signing big man Naz Reid is a major offseason priority for the Timberwolves, Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes. Heading into unrestricted free agency, Reid averaged a career-high 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season.

“I think we’re going to be an organization that’s going to reward guys that do right by the organization,” Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said. “He came here, he got himself in better shape, he’s gotten better each and every year, and we’re fingers crossed that he’s going to be here for a long, long time. … We’ve been working pretty hard to try to figure out something long-term for Naz.”

The Timberwolves hold Bird rights on Reid, who suffered a left wrist fracture late in the season.

We have more from the Northwest Division:

  • Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels fractured his right hand in two places during the team’s regular-season finale, costing the Wolves a valuable defensive-minded rotation player entering the playoffs. McDaniels punched a wall in frustration that day and now he’s kicking himself for hurting the franchise, as Hine relays. “I made a dumb mistake,” he said. “I wish I could take it back. But, afterwards, there was nothing I could do. So I was just mad. Mad for my teammates. I know they were probably upset, too. … I just need to learn how to control my emotions better throughout the game.”
  • Timberwolves coach Chris Finch believes the team wilted under increased expectations following last summer’s Rudy Gobert blockbuster acquisition, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawcyznski. “I think we found life a little different just with the weight of expectations after the Rudy trade,” Finch said.
  • Contract options will play a major role in the Jazz‘s offseason, Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune notes. Only $3MM of Kelly Olynyk‘s $12.2MM contract for next season is guaranteed. Utah will have to decide what to do with the veteran big man by June 28. Jordan Clarkson, Talen Horton-Tucker, Rudy Gay and Damian Jones each hold player options for 2023/24, totaling approximately $35MM.
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