The Atlanta Hawks are expected to be active both on the free agent and trade markets. With a young and exciting core, the organization has every reason to make a risky move or two. In an underwhelming free agent class, the Hawks' options are either to overpay for a middling talent or to hope to win one of the offseason bidding wars for disgruntled stars on the move. One potential happy medium could be attempting to pry center Naz Reid away from Minnesota. The big man has a player option for $15 million that can keep him with the Timberwolves for another season.
However, with his numbers slightly regressing this past season and being forced to play behind Rudy Gobert, it's possible the veteran takes advantage of a thin free agent class. It is fun to imagine what Reid could accomplish as a lob threat for Trae and a reliable option from the outside. Even with notable shooting regression from the previous season, Reid is still an incredibly reliable option that would help bolster a questionable Atlanta offense.
The Hawks' Front Office Would be Wise to Attempt to Sign Veteran Naz Reid
Reid's slight regression in shooting numbers is going to be difficult to take advantage of in a thin class. There is also the obvious factor of the center playing a key role for a team that made it to the Western Conference Finals. This does push the potential contract out of Atlanta's comfort zone, even if the veteran were to leave Minnesota.
Regardless, there are simply too few potential market fits that the Hawks have to at least explore the possibility. The best possible path for Atlanta is landing a franchise star that would pair well with Trae Young. If they are going to contend in a crowded Eastern Conference, it is going to take an additional scorer and impressive development from the team's current core.
Opting to sign Reid would be giving up on this dream and relying completely on team development and a bounce-back year from Trae. While this isn't the worst path to take, it is far from the most exciting. Signing Reid should be among the team's secondary options if efforts to land a star player fails.