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2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Backup Center

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nov 9, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans
Jan 11, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) shoots the ball defended by New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in the second quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Backup Center

Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves

The center options in free agency will also be similarly scant, especially for what the Magic are looking to get. And even the big money option will come with plenty of questions.

If Orlando feels like it needs to overspend some to secure this spot, then Naz Reid will be the target for the majority of the team’s empty cap space.

Reid definitely checks a lot of the boxes the Magic might be looking for from a backup center. And he could even be someone who gets more regular minutes in two-big lineups or bigger lineups that feature Franz Wagner at shooting guard — a lineup that will get increasing calls again as the Magic aim to play their five best players at all times.

Reid has made some very serious and encouraging strides as a player. He averaged 11.5 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game last season. He has been a fairly consistent 34-35 percent 3-point shooter, going in at 34.6 percent on 3.2 attempts per game. This is an ever-evolving part of his game.

But the rap on him dating back to his college days at LSU is that he is a big body who defends with energy. And that has indeed translated to the NBA.

Reid has had a positive defensive plus-minus in each of the past two years and accumulated more than 1.5 defensive win shares in that time period. But for the Timberwolves last year, the team had a 113.3 defensive rating with him on the floor, slightly worse than the team’s 113.1 season average.

He is a strong interior defender who gives up 1.7 percentage points worse at the rim than expected, according to Basketball-Index. He makes up for his lack of size with pure effort and toughness. That is something the Magic do need.

Reid puts a lot of pressure on the rim with his rolling and screening. But the full picture with him is not completely evident. He was still a part of many of Minnesota’s worst lineups last year.

That remains the big question. Especially as the Magic or any team tries to determine what to give him contract-wise. He is coming off a minimum contract and is due for a big pay raise — certainly to more than $10 million per year and likely closer to the $12-15 million per year range.

Reid is a perfect backup center who can make spot starts. It is just a question of whether this is where the team wants to put the bulk of its resources in free agency.