Hornets Coach Charles Lee Benches Naz Reid for Not Meeting ‘Our Standards’

Not only did the Charlotte Hornets lose to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, but newcomer Naz Reid also got benched by head coach Charles Lee. 

Reid was benched at halftime.

"Unfortunately, [Reid] didn't meet our standards in the first half, and at halftime we made the decision that he wouldn't play in the second half," Lee said. "But I look forward to him meeting those standards come next game."

Reid, who started the game, finished with seven points on 2-of-6 shooting in 13 minutes.

For the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, Reid averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 45.6% from the field, 36.2% from beyond the arc and 73.2% from the free-throw line. He recorded six double-doubles. 

Reid won the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year award with the Timberwolves. He entered this season with regular-season averages of 11.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game and playoff averages of 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. 

Reid is making $23,275,862 this season. Multiple teams tried to acquire him after the Hornets got the talented big man from the Timberwolves in the blockbuster LaMelo Ball trade. Charlotte's front office told teams Reid was not available. 

Thus far this season, Reid is putting up 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The veteran is shooting 43.0% from the field, 42.9% from beyond the arc and 50.0% from the free-throw line. 

It's unknown what Reid did against the Pistons to get benched. The Hornets are back in action on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia is 4-1 in Year 1 of the LeBron James era, while Charlotte is 3-2. 

Brandon Miller had 31 points and 12 rebounds for Charlotte against Detroit, but he missed five of his seven shots in the fourth quarter. The talented forward had 21 points as the Hornets built a 51-44 halftime lead. Neither team could shoot consistently, but Charlotte's 6-0 advantage in second-chance points was enough to keep it ahead.  

Detroit, though, started the third quarter with a 16-5 run and forced eight turnovers in the quarter on their way to a 76-70 lead. Charlotte stayed close for most of the fourth, but Miller's shooting struggles and five more turnovers kept it from making a serious game. It also didn't help that Reid wasn't on the court. 

The Hornets haven't made the playoffs since 2016. For Charlotte to snap that drought this season, Reid and Miller have to lead the way.