When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded away both Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle, it felt like the team was positioning Naz Reid to become a major starter, instead of his usual bench role.

Then, on June 25, 2026, the Timberwolves suddenly traded Naz Reid and multiple draft picks for the services of LaMelo Ball and Josh Green.

It was a move that rocked the NBA world to see Ball team up with Anthony Edwards, but one that also hurt Timberwolves fans to their core. The fanbase adored Reid, with some even getting tattoos of his name on themselves.

When Reid was finally asked about leaving those fans, he had some very heartfelt words to say to The Charlotte Observer.

Reid stated that the love the fans have shown him is a testament to his work, because they've known him since Day 1. Timberwolves fans had seen Reid go from an undrafted player to earning some minutes, and then ultimately winning Sixth Man of the Year. He claimed that he wouldn't have won the award without those fans.

When it came to the trade in particular, Reid had more heartfelt words to say to Timberwolves fans.

"And then obviously having the moment of me being traded and then them expressing their feelings about how much they wish I was able to stay and so forth and so on," Reid said. "So, it’s just kudos to that fan base. And like I said, the way they appreciated me, the way that they’ve embraced me since Day 1."

It's the fact that Reid has known Timberwolves fans for so long that he believes his relationship became extra special.

"I worked with them for eight years, and each year wasn’t easy," Reid added. "Each year was tough. It got better, obviously. They’ve been in situations where stands weren’t filled to where they are now. And I’ve been in that same element with them."

Simply put, Naz Reid has been the bench player in the NBA for years. There was no other big man who could match his level of energy and productivity off the bench. In his first season with the team, Reid averaged 9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 41/33/70 shooting from the field.

The year that Reid won Sixth Man of the Year in the 2024 NBA season, he averaged 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists 48/41/74 shooting from the field. Reid figured out a way to become a legitimate three-point threat, while also improving his rebounding at the same time.

It'll be incredibly hard for the Minnesota Timberwolves to replace what Reid brought to the court. Part of what made the team successful is the fact that they've had some of the best stretch bigs in the NBA, whether it was Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, or Naz Reid. Now, without any of them, their team's identity will look completely different.

While making a move for LaMelo Ball feels like something any team should do, one would have to worry about the identity of the Timberwolves and if they gave away too much in the process of doing so.