Naz Reid Continues Supporting Karl-Anthony Towns During Knicks Playoff Run

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the offseason facing difficult questions after another disappointing playoff exit, but one storyline from the franchise continues to resonate beyond the court. Even after major roster changes separated longtime teammates Naz Reid and Karl-Anthony Towns, the connection between the two players remains strong.

Towns is now preparing for the Eastern Conference Finals with the New York Knicks following the blockbuster trade that sent him from Minnesota to New York in September 2024. Meanwhile, Reid and the Timberwolves are left evaluating their future after another postseason run ended short of championship expectations.

Despite now playing for different organizations, Reid made it clear that he continues to closely support Towns during New York’s playoff journey. Speaking to reporters after Minnesota’s elimination, Reid reflected on the bond the two built during their years together with the Timberwolves.

Their relationship extends beyond basketball. Both players share roots in New Jersey and developed a close friendship long before they became NBA teammates. For Reid, Towns remains more than a former teammate — he remains someone he considers family.

1. Reid Reflects on Longstanding Friendship With Towns

Naz Reid spoke openly about his desire to support Towns during the Knicks’ postseason run, even saying he hopes to attend games in person as New York continues its pursuit of an NBA Finals appearance. Reid explained that watching Towns compete now comes from a different perspective. Instead of sharing the floor as teammates, he plans to support him simply as a fan and close friend who wants to see someone important to him succeed on the league’s biggest stage. The comments highlighted the depth of their relationship. Reid noted that he has known Towns since before either player reached the NBA, and that history helped create a connection that survived roster changes and organizational decisions. According to Reid, Towns has supported him throughout his career in ways many people may not fully understand publicly. Because of that, Reid emphasized his desire to return the same loyalty and encouragement during this important stretch of Towns’ career.

2. Trade Changed Paths for Both Players

The friendship between Reid and Towns became especially notable because the two nearly entered this postseason together before Minnesota reshaped its roster with the major trade that sent Towns to New York in 2024. For years, Towns served as one of the central figures of the Timberwolves organization, while Reid steadily developed into one of the NBA’s most productive reserve big men. Together, they helped Minnesota evolve from a struggling franchise into a consistent playoff contender. The trade dramatically altered the direction of both teams. New York gained an All-Star caliber offensive centerpiece in Towns, while Minnesota moved forward with a different roster structure built around Anthony Edwards and a younger supporting core. While the Timberwolves eventually fell short in the second round this season, the Knicks continued advancing through the Eastern Conference playoffs. The contrasting results naturally fueled discussion about how differently Minnesota’s season might have unfolded had Towns remained with the organization.

3. Knicks Position Themselves as Eastern Contenders

Now, Towns and the Knicks find themselves preparing for one of the franchise’s most significant postseason moments in decades. New York has reached the Eastern Conference Finals in consecutive seasons for the first time since the late 1990s and early 2000s, signaling the organization’s return to contender status. The Knicks’ playoff success has elevated expectations across the league. With Towns anchoring a balanced roster, New York has increasingly emerged as one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference and potentially compete for a championship. At the time Reid spoke, the Knicks were still waiting to learn their next opponent. The outcome of the series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons would determine not only the matchup but also where the Eastern Conference Finals would begin. If Detroit advanced, New York would open the series on the road. If Cleveland survived, the Knicks would gain home-court advantage to start the conference finals. Regardless of the opponent, Towns now stands closer than ever to reaching the NBA Finals — something Reid clearly hopes to witness firsthand.