Practically eight months after being employed away from the Denver Nuggets because the Minnesota Timberwolves’ President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly may be capable of meet up with his former co-workers within the close to future.

In a Monday morning article from HoopsHype, Michael Scotto reported that Timberwolves heart Naz Reid is drawing curiosity from varied groups, together with the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.

Scotto talked about Nuggets guard Bones Hyland — whom Connelly drafted — and Clippers wing Terance Mann and as potential gamers despatched to Minnesota in a deal that features Reid.

Photograph by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures Mile Excessive Naz? Any deal that entails Reid as the primary participant concerned is troublesome. The LSU product makes slightly below $2 million this season, making something aside from a Hyland/Reid or Mann/Reid 1-for-1 a bit tough.

These offers possible doesn’t occur, because the Nuggets will hesitate to surrender their 22-year-old that’s beneath contract for 2 extra years (membership possibility on that second yr) after which shall be a restricted free agent. Reid’s impending unrestricted free company could possibly be an excessive amount of of a raffle to half with a high-upside, low-salary participant like Hyland.

Buying and selling for after which re-signing Reid would ship Denver additional previous the posh tax (already $11 million over the road for 2023-24). Subsequently: 1). Further cash would come again to Minnesota with Hyland or 2). A 3rd crew could be concerned to make the cash work.

Nonetheless, within the case Hyland results in Minnesota, Head Coach Chris Finch would add one other younger, prolonged scorer with loads of upside to the rotation. The No. 26 choose within the 2021 NBA Draft is averaging 12.3 factors, two rebounds and two assists in 2022-23 in his microwave scoring function off the bench.

He’s had an odd final 14 video games, as within the final six he’s struggled mightily, averaging 5 PPG on 27% capturing. Within the earlier eight video games, although, he averaged 17 PPG on 52% capturing (together with an 18-point effort through which he shot 7-for-12 from the sphere in a win towards the Timberwolves).

Regardless, the previous VCU star and Atlantic 10 Participant of the Yr is an intriguing prospect that’s flashed super scoring potential in his first two seasons. Including him to a core of Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels would excite for a very long time.

Naz Reid (L.A. Model) A cope with the Clippers that sends Mann to Minneapolis and Reid to Los Angeles theoretically works as a 1-for-1 swap, however requires loads of context.

Mann signed a two-year, $22 million greenback extension with the Clippers in October of 2021, which kicks in for the 2023-24 season. He solely makes $1.9 million this yr, which makes the 1-for-1 work, however the Wolves could be signing on for 2 years of Mann at roughly $11 million per yr.

In his fourth yr within the NBA, the Florida State product is averaging 8.7 factors, 3.6 rebounds and two assists in 48 video games. Mann’s 6-foot-5, 215 pound body permits him to defend opposing guards and a few smaller wings, which might tackle Minnesota’s want of perimeter protection.

Reid’s subsequent contract — after a formidable season to date — in all probability isn’t too removed from what Mann signed for in 2021, so resigning Reid and buying and selling for Mann have comparable monetary implications for the Wolves.

Photograph by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures These rumors come along with these already involving D’Angelo Russell forward of the Feb. 9 commerce deadline. It’s potential he could possibly be despatched to a 3rd crew in a Mann/Reid deal or Hyland/Reid deal, which might possible finish with the Wolves taking over future wage, as each Reid and Russell are slated to hit unrestricted free company after this season.

With impending extensions for Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels — oh, along with Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Cities making $80-100 million per yr for the foreseeable future — the Timberwolves have some monetary hoops to leap via, which begins with Reid and Russell this summer season.

You may maintain tabs on all the most recent commerce rumors involving the Wolves over at our 2023 Commerce Rumor Tracker right here forward of the NBA’s 2 PM CT commerce deadline on Thursday, February 9.

The post Report: Naz Reid Drawing Curiosity From Clippers, Nuggets first appeared on Raw News.