Naz Reid was one of the Timberwolves‘ most popular players during his time with the franchise, so it’s been hard for Minnesota fans to get used to the idea that he’s now wearing a Hornets uniform. Reid, who was sent to Charlotte as part of the return in the LaMelo Ball trade, talks about the loyalty he generated and several other topics in an interview with Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer (subscription required).

“It’s kind of dedication and testament to my work. They’ve seen it since Day 1,” Reid said. “I mentioned it all the time. They’ve seen me go undrafted, they’ve seen me work my way to some playing time minutes — whether it’s 15 minutes a game, 10 minutes a game — and they’ve seen me working my way to it going to 20 minutes and so forth and so on. So, Sixth Man of the Year, I couldn’t have that without those fans and the situation I was in. I’m definitely excited to share that moment with them.

“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. 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. I worked with them for eight years, and each year wasn’t easy. 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. Being the longest-tenured player there, they’ve seen the work that I put in for eight years. And they kind of, I guess, appreciated that.”

Reid began his career on a two-way deal with the Wolves after going undrafted out of LSU in 2019. He appeared in just 30 games as a rookie, but from there he was able to work his way into a steady spot in the team’s rotation. He won Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2024 and finished fifth and fourth in the balloting the past two seasons.

Reid provided a steady inside presence off the bench as the primary backup to Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and more recently Julius Randle. He’s expected to move into a starting spot with the Hornets, replacing Miles Bridges, who was traded to Phoenix last month.

Reid was part of numerous high-level playoff games in Minnesota, including two trips to the Western Conference finals, and he plans to share the lessons from that experience with his new Charlotte teammates, many of whom got their first taste of NBA success last season.

“As me being the leader or one of the oldest guys, kind of knowing what playoff experience feels like and knowing what that environment is like and knowing what it is like, or knowing how it feels for a state to embrace you, let alone at the highest level,” Reid said. “So, I think just being able to put my head down, going to work, and obviously leading by example, not just by words. Like I said before, can’t ask someone to do one thing if you’re not doing your responsibility. So I think you’ll see a lot of me embracing my role and understanding what it takes to win. And understanding how to bring a team or a couple guys along as well.

“I’ve got some playoff experience. What’s the biggest takeaway from the last couple of years? Experience. I’ve been to Western Conference finals two times in a row. Last year I went to the second round. Kind of knowing what it is, and what it takes to get there and kind of sustain at the highest level. Obviously I’ve only been to the Western Conference finals. I don’t know what the championship feeling feels like, but we’ve got a lot of guys who kind of experienced that feeling as well. They’ve won rings. Coach (Charles) Lee has won two rings. So, just understanding, they know what it takes as well. So, I think having that mesh of a group of guys who know how to get there and know what to do at that level. That aspect is kind of good for our brand of basketball.”

Reid had just boarded a plane to the Bahamas when he was notified of the trade, and he decided to continue with the vacation and address his new NBA reality when he returned. He was tipped off a few days earlier by his agent that a deal might be in the works, which he called “a little shocking,” but he learned to accept it as part of the business side of the game.

He’s now bonding with his new teammates as they work to make the Hornets a legitimate contender in the East.

“I’ve known Coby (White) for years now. I’ve played against him. I’ve not played with him, but we’ve been in the same cahoots for about a couple of years now. So, I know him pretty well,” Reid said. “Brandon (Miller), I knew a little bit, but I’m really starting to get to know him now. And Kon (Knueppel) I’m really getting to know. And Moussa (Diabate) and everybody else. Pat (Connaughton). And they’re welcoming me as well with open arms, and embracing me and all the work that I’ve put in. I haven’t really got a chance to work with them yet, as I’m ramping up and coming from the injury that I had. But just the work that I see them put in every day so far that I’ve been here is kind of where you want to be.”