Naz Reid scores 23 points, hits five triples

Reid popped up on the injury report as probable with an illness, but he’s still likely to suit up against the Wizards Monday. After three games with the Hornets, Reid is averaging 20.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 4.0 threes.

Reid had seven turnovers despite only playing 24 minutes and that’s a crusher in nine-category leagues. Otherwise, he’s scored 37 points on 15-of-34 attempts with seven three-pointers in his first two games with the Hornets. That’ll play. If Reid can keep the turnovers under control, he’s well on his way to paying off his mid-round draft price.

Reid impressed in his first game with the Hornets. The 27-year-old big man led the team with 20 points, knocked down four three-pointers and was just three assists shy of a triple-double. That’ll play. Reid has never averaged more than 2.2 assists in a season, but the rest of his production is sustainable, making him a valuable player in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.

The Hornets have Kon Knueppel and Coby White out, so Schroeder and now Sion James will get the start with Grayson Allen coming off the bench. Even in a start, Sion James is not a great per minute producer and will likely not impact many fantasy leagues even in a start.

After scoring 13 points in his Hornets’ preseason debut against the Nets, Reid was a little more effective on Sunday. He shot 50 percent from the field, but the overall stat line was a bit lean. In Charlotte, Reid should have more room to flourish offensively. However, increased usage doesn’t guarantee increased production. His current ADP sits in the middle rounds of 12-team leagues, a fair spot for Reid.

Reid had a breakout season for the Timberwolves in 2023-24 when he won Sixth Man of the Year while averaging 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and shot 41 percent from three-point range. He finished in the top five of Sixth Man voting each of the last two years as well. Reid signed a multi-year contract with Minnesota less than a year ago, but will now find himself in Charlotte as part of the return for LaMelo Ball. Reid should have a similar role with the Hornets either as a starter or premiere bench option. He joins a frontline that also includes Moussa Diabate, Ryan Kalkbrenner and newly drafted Hannes Steinbach.

Charania reported late Wednesday night that the Hornets were fielding offers for Ball and NBA Insider Marc Stein pinpointed the Timberwolves as one of the interested teams. Now both sides have agreed on a deal that sends Ball along with Josh Green to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Anthony Edwards was frustrated with how he’s been double-teamed since the team traded Karl Anthony-Towns. Now the Timberwolves have sent a haul to the Hornets to pair Edwards with Ball in the backcourt. Ball stayed healthy playing 72 games last season and is in line for similar fantasy production in Minnesota while the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller could see increased usage with Ball no longer in Charlotte.

After two seasons in Minnesota, Randle is headed back to the Big Apple, albeit a different borough. While he did struggle during the Timberwolves’ second-round series against San Antonio, the veteran forward had a productive 2025-26 regular season. In 79 games, Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 three-pointers, shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 80.2 percent from the foul line. With the Nets in the midst of a rebuild, it’s fair to wonder if they won’t look to move Randle to another team. He can provide reliable top-75 fantasy value, especially in points leagues. Staying in Brooklyn could raise Randle’s ceiling, as was the case with Michael Porter Jr. Still, fantasy managers would also have to worry about the possibility of his minutes decreasing late in the season. As part of the trade, Minnesota will receive the rights to the 33rd overall pick in this week’s draft. Randle’s exit means Naz Reid will start consistently, raising his fantasy ceiling, and it also gives the Timberwolves the financial flexibility needed to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu.

Reid’s 18 points matched his high for the series, which he first recorded in Game 3. While the Timberwolves had to navigate injuries throughout the playoffs, Reid’s role remained largely unchanged. And given who’s all under contract for next season, that’s likely to remain the case. Reid is a player who has to be rostered in standard fantasy leagues, but his ceiling is limited with Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert starting while he comes off the bench.

Reid, who finished one rebound shy of a double-double, rolled his right ankle early in the fourth quarter of Game 4. The good news is that he returned later in the quarter, providing key contributions as the Timberwolves evened the series at two games apiece. Game 5 is on Tuesday night, so Reid won’t have too long to rest his injured ankle. Don’t be surprised if he shows up on the preliminary injury report.