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NBA star Naz Reid returned to his home state of New Jersey to host an exclusive youth basketball camp. The two-day camp was created for standout youth athletes in grades 8 to 11.
“They're super young, super talented as well, so you want to do off the court stuff too, along with on the court stuff... These guys are tremendous young kids, trying to be at the highest level in the NBA or even overseas, whatever the case may be. Those tools go a long way," Reid said. Reid says he wants to inspire the next generation with lessons that go far beyond the game, using pivotal moments from his life.
This offseason, the Timberwolves reached a deal to bring back Naz Reid and Randle before free agency began on June 30 but elected not to sign reserve Alexander-Walker. A new contract for the guard would have put the Timberwolves over the second apron once again. They are currently $5.9 million below the threshold. "What the apron rules do to teams is force you to prioritize what players to retain and also put a greater emphasis on your former draft picks to play a greater role," an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN.
The Suns are well-stocked at center now after their recent trade for Charlotte's Mark Williams and the draft selection of Duke's Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 overall pick, but word is that first they tried to engage Minnesota in sign-and-trade discussions for Naz Reid before those moves.
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Yossi Gozlan: Naz Reid's raise makes keeping both Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker costly without reducing payroll. For example, Randle opting in and Alexander-Walker re-signing for $14.1 million (mid-level) puts the Wolves over the second apron and increases tax by $65 million.
Shams Charania: Just in: Minnesota Timberwolves' Naz Reid intends to sign a new five-year, $125 million contract to stay with the franchise, including a player option, sources tell ESPN. Critical agreement between the Wolves and Reid's agents, Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports.
Shams Charania: Reid declined a $15 million player option for next season and chose to stay with Minnesota despite a vibrant market developing of teams interested with similar money but with starting roles. The 2024 Sixth Man of the Year and Minnesota are locked in for the long term.
Jon Krawczynski: Chris Finch asked by @PAOnTheMic if he expects Naz Reid and Julius Randle on the team next season: "Absolutely, yes."
Golden State’s biggest weakness is their lack of elite play at the big man positions. The Warriors were starting the 6-foot-6 Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis — a second-round pick who averaged 6.6 points last season — towards the end of the playoffs. “Their ceiling is really kind of the move that they make in the offseason to upgrade themselves athletically right in the front court,” says Davis. “I personally think they need some front-court athleticism to compete in the West with Nikola Jokic, Naz Reid and people like that.”
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Thus, having to pay Julius Randle and Naz Reid has many teams across the league with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception licking their chops to make a run at Alexander-Walker, including the Orlando Magic, who made a run at trying to acquire him before the trade deadline, HoopsHype has learned. Various executives around the league who spoke with HoopsHype are projecting Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 26, to garner the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception or close to it in free agency.
As for the 25-year-old Naz Reid, the prevailing thinking since he won Sixth Man of the Year last season was that he’d decline his player option and enter unrestricted free agency. With a month before free agency, the prevailing notion remains that Reid – who views himself as a starting-caliber player – will decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent in line for a significant pay raise. Re-signing Reid this summer is a priority for the Timberwolves, league sources told HoopsHype.
Jon Krawczynski: Tim Connelly on Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naz Reid and Julius Randle: "We’re very appreciative of what the market might look like. We’re pretty cautiously optimistic we’re in a good place with all of the guys. Most importantly, they want to be here."
Randle holds a $30.9 million player option that he must exercise or decline by June 29. Naz Reid has his own $15 million option that many around the league expect last season's Sixth Man of the Year to decline.
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