The Minnesota Timberwolves are enjoying their most successful season in two decades. With a 54-24 record, the Timberwolves are currently tied with the reigning champion Denver Nuggets for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. It is clear Minnesota has serious championship hopes this season. Furthermore, one of their key role players is eyeing to add even more hardware this season. In the midst of a career year, center Naz Reid is campaigning for himself to win the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Following a 31-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Reid spoke about wanting to win the postseason award:
“That’s something that I want. I’m hungry for it. I want that. I think the impact, the record has shown it, our standing has shown it,” Reid said about winning the honor for best player off the bench. “I want it bad. I’m hungry for it.”
This season, the 24-year-old is averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Additionally, he is shooting 48.2% from the field and a career-high 41.8% from beyond the arc.
With less than a week remaining on the season, Reid (+150) has the second-highest betting odds to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award this season. He only trails Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk. Monk has been out since late March and is unlikely to return before the end of the regular season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Big Man “Hungry” for NBA 6MOY Award
Naz Reid Has a Case for Winning the Award
At this point in the season, it appears to be a two-man race between Reid and Monk for the award. And with Monk likely out the rest of the season, it makes it easier to compare the two. One thing that helps Reid’s case is his team’s success against Monk’s. While the Timberwolves are practically guaranteed a top-three seed in the Western Conference, the Kings are on the opposite end. With a 43-33 record, Sacramento owns the No. 8 seed in the West. And although it is not official, the Kings will likely end the season as a Play-In team.
Furthermore, Reid matches up with Monk statistically, even though they play different positions. Here is a breakdown of their stats:
Reid: 77 games, 13.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 48.2 FG%, 41.8 3FG%
Monk: 72 games, 15.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 44.3 FG%, 35 3FG%
Reid’s teammate, star Anthony Edwards, also expressed why he thinks the big man should win the award:
“I think it’s obvious that Naz Reid is the Sixth Man of the Year,” Anthony Edwards said, noting the Wolves returned to the top spot in the Western Conference with the victory with four games left. “We’re the No. 1 team in the West. He’s had multiple 30-point games. He’s the reason we’re winning. He’s a big reason why. KAT went down a little minute ago and we’ve still been able to win, it’s because of Naz.”
However, One Thing May End Naz Reid’s Aspirations
The rule for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year is simple. Any player is eligible as long as they come off the bench more often than they start. Although Reid falls under this category, he has started 12 games on the year, whereas Monk has started none. This is likely something that will play a factor in the voters’ decision.
In all, however, Reid is deserving of the award. And if he does, he will be the first center to win the award since Roy Tarpley did in the 1987-88 NBA season.
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