The fate of the Timberwolves' season, already a massive success regardless of where it finishes, is still up in the air. A few Minnesota fans will have a permanent memory of the franchise's playoff run regardless of what happens next.
Timberwolves reserve big man Naz Reid was a fan favorite even before this season, but he's only elevated his standing among Minnesota fans by winning Sixth Man of the Year and serving as a key cog in the team's run to the Western Conference Finals.
Reid is a great success story for the Timberwolves, having gone undrafted in 2019 but earning a roster spot and working his way into a major role on a championship contender. His story is so good that some fans are now tattooing his name onto their body as a hilarious but very much irreversible tribute to the 24-year-old.
Here's what you need to know about Timberwolves fans' Naz Reid tattoos and how the idea originated.
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Why are Timberwolves fans getting Naz Reid tattoos?
Reid was already a fan favorite in Minnesota when he started getting key buckets during the deepest Timberwolves playoff run in two decades. Whether as a meme or not, some of the franchise's most dedicated fans are proving their commitment to Reid is serious by getting his name tattooed on their body in plain text.
The craze took off when Minneapolis tattoo artist JC Stroebel put out an offer to tattoo Reid's name onto anyone for just $20.
"We have at least 100 legitimate requests to get tattooed. We, like collectively as a fan base, have earned the right to tattoo Naz Reid on ourselves, man," Stroebel told CBS News.
One fan told CBS News his Reid tattoo joined existing tattoos that are a tribute to his parents. "Mom, Dad, Naz Reid. Three most important people in my life," he said. That about sums it up.
The "Naz Reid" tattoo is about as simple as it gets. All seven letters of Reid's name are inked in an unremarkable font, mirroring the Naz Reid memes that have circulated around the internet. Whether it's a tweet that simply reads "Naz Reid" after Reid makes a play or a large beach towel with Reid's name, those seven letters have become a rallying cry for Timberwolves fans.
Naz Reid pic.twitter.com/PcgdzlSlME
— Wilder Adams (@whatsontapnba) May 19, 2024
Playoff runs like the one the Timberwolves are on right now create memories that can last for the rest of a fan's life. The players who make up those moments become local heroes and are remembered forever. While not even a starter for Minnesota, Reid is one of those players for at least 100 fans who coughed up $20.
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Naz Reid contract
After playing for an average of less than $2 million per year over his first four seasons in the NBA, Reid finally cashed in last offseason by re-signing with the Timberwolves on a three-year, $41 million contract.
Reid made $12.95 million this season and is set to make about $14 million in 2024-25. He can be an unrestricted free agent as soon as 2025, as he has a $15 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
Given the rising salary cap and Reid's improved play, he's certainly on track to be able to opt out in a year and land a more lucrative long-term deal. For now, though, the Timberwolves have Reid locked in for next season. Time will tell if 2024-25 will be a title-defense season or a revenge season for Minnesota.
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Naz Reid stats
| Season | Games | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | FG% |
| 2019-20 | 30 | 9.0 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 41.2% |
| 2020-21 | 70 | 11.2 | 4.6 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 52.3% |
| 2021-22 | 77 | 8.3 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 48.9% |
| 2022-23 | 68 | 11.5 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 53.7% |
| 2023-24 | 81 | 13.5 | 5.2 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 47.7% |
| Career | 326 | 10.9 | 4.6 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 49.6% |
