NBA Insider Offers Insight on Paul Reed’s Future With 76ers

Paul Reed has made quite the name for himself since joining the Philadelphia 76ers as a late second-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

From shining in the G League as a rookie, winning the league’s Rookie of the Year and MVP honors, to competing for a legitimate role as Joel Embiid’s backup, Reed has garnered tons of support from Philly fans throughout his first few seasons in the NBA.

Will the Sixers keep him around beyond the 2022-2023 NBA season? Well, that will be one of a few key questions surrounding the team when the Sixers finally reach the 2023 offseason.

This summer, Reed is slated to be a restricted free agent. It will mark the first time in his career that he will have the opportunity to test the market. Will the young veteran allow other teams to extend offers to him? Or will Reed prioritize getting a deal done in Philly?

Shams Charania of The Athletic recently broke it all down.

“No extension for Paul Reed as of right now, he’s gonna go into the market it looks like as a restricted free agent… Some of the numbers that he’s putting up, it’s clear he’s gonna get some attraction in free agency” @ShamsCharania with the latest on Paul Reed 👀#RunItBack pic.twitter.com/w66Wz3JkLU
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) April 25, 2023

The Latest on Paul Reed’s Future

Extension Talks Were Brief

Per Charania, Reed’s representatives and the Sixers “had some extension conversations” throughout the course of the regular season. At this moment, both parties haven’t found a deal they are comfortable agreeing with, and it seems that will remain the case until the free agency market opens up.

Reed Is Expected to Test the Market

“He will be entering free agency,” Charania reported. Suddenly, Paul Reed’s current playoff run could make a significant difference in his future. Last season, Reed appeared in 12 playoff games for the Sixers. He averaged four points and four rebounds while spending an average of 11 minutes on the court.

This season, Reed appeared in four games and even picked up a start in Game 4 in the absence of Joel Embiid. Over the first four games, Reed averaged seven points and seven rebounds.

In the past, Doc Rivers and the Sixers might’ve been hesitant to start Reed in a playoff game, but the young big man “earned” the opportunity in the eyes of Rivers. Surely, Reed delivered in a big way as he produced ten points, 15 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in his starting debut in the playoffs, which turned out to be a successful elimination game for the 76ers.

Will the Sixers Have Competition?

The man they call Bball Paul is no longer the Sixers’ best-kept secret. According to Charania, it’s “clear” that Reed is going to be “valued” in free agency.

The Sixers have an advantage in the market, as they’ll be able to match a competitor’s offer to retain Reed, but they still risk losing the center if a team is willing to offer more than they are willing to cough up. Ideally, the Sixers bring Reed back to help him develop into a true backup center behind Embiid for a full season, but another team might have a more desirable offer and role for the former DePaul standout.