Timberwolves sign Naz Reid fueling speculation of Karl Anthony-Towns departure

25 June 2023 , 22:30

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Karl Anthony-Towns has been in trade talks (Image: Getty)

The Minnesota Timberwolves have resigned impressive center Naz Reid to a new contract, giving him a reasonably substantial three-year, $42 million deal (£33m).

Reid has been an impressive backup option since joining the Timberwolves as an unrestricted free agent in 2019, with some projecting him to move to a new team where he could be a starter - with the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly interested.

However, he has resigned a deal with Minnesota - which could raise some eyebrows on the future of the team's superstar big-man Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, with the team also trading for Rudy Gobert - inheriting his whopping five-year, $205 million deal (£161m).

And with Gobert and Reid now locked up to deals, rumours on Towns' future will only intensify after he had been mentioned in trade talks earlier this month.

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Bleacher Report suggested that Towns is expected to be 'long gone' after 2024, with executives reportedly stating that the team could trade him in the coming weeks.

With Gobert's major contract tied up, the team must also soon pay fellow young superstar Anthony Edwards, as well as key role player Jaden McDaniels.

Edwards is expected to, like Gobert, receive the 'super max' contract - which could be as much as $48 million per season. Meanwhile, McDaniels is reportedly seeking $30 million a year.

Naz Reid and Towns play the same position, along with Rudy Gobert all on the same team

The team, which will struggle to pay both, is coming off the back of a disappointing season where they lost in the first round to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets.

Towns will expect the 'super max' contract himself in 2024, with him likely to get offers from around the league should Minnesota move on from him.

As well as a disappointing year for the team, Towns struggled himself with his scoring and rebounding numbers down while playing alongside Gobert - a move which had been seen as surprising by fans after being made official. Gobert is under contract until 2027.

Charlie Wilson