The Wizard is Naz More

Thursday I saw the headline “Wolves Trade Naz Reid to Hornets for LaMelo Ball”. I frantically clicked the link and yes, that was real, the Wolves had done something I thought impossible, they traded their most loved big man away for a player who looks extremely flawed but could be a potential star.

My thoughts on the trade aside, Nas Reid was such a fixture in Minnesota. From the moment he started getting consistent minutes, until he played through a damaged shoulder in this year’s playoffs, he was beloved. I had many moments of screaming “NAZ” in excitement and “NAZ” in frustration. Other people went further, getting tattoos of his name on their bodies. His beach towel became a symbol of unity and hearing Michael Grady say “Two Words” was magnificent when Reid started splashing threes from all over the floor.

During the 2025 Playoff run, we got a Bark Box that came with a little wizard. It was an immediate smash hit. Fin loved that thing from day one, and even today it is in his rotation. The night before Reid got traded, the Wizard was laying somewhere in the house, and while we were watching TV all of a sudden you heard galloping and here comes the dog with the wizard in his mouth, ready to party. It coincided perfectly with the newish nickname fans had bestowed on Nas, The Wizard of Naz. Game days for that series always meant we got out the wizard, who not only remained a hit toy, but also somehow avoided being torn to shreds, a fate most toys face.

Maybe Fin sensed the phone calls the Wolves were making over in Minneapolis, but today at lunch I looked down and I think the Wizard looked sad. I think a lot of Wolves fans are feeling the same, Nas was a symbol of hard work and dedication and we took pride in him being one of us. He will be missed and I think we all wish him the best in Charlotte.