Detroit Pistons Fans Curious About Future After Latest Roster Move

Paul Reed’s stint with the Detroit Pistons has come to an end. The veteran center will go through the waiver wire with hopes of getting the remaining two seasons left on his contract picked up by another team. If not, he’ll be back on the open market as an unrestricted free agent.

Over the summer, Reed found himself waived by the Philadelphia 76ers just one season after signing a brand new three-year deal. Since the Sixers failed to get past the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the final two seasons on Reed’s deal were non-guaranteed.

The Sixers waived Reed as they prioritized reuniting with the veteran center Andre Drummond. They also drafted a center in the second round by adding Adem Bona out of UCLA. As for Reed, he ended up on the Pistons. The team claimed him off waivers.

Heading into training camp, it seemed there was a possibility Reed could win some minutes in the rotation. However, with JB Bickerstaff keeping Isaiah Stewart at the center position in a bench role behind Jalen Duren, it was difficult for Reed to garner the playing time he desired as a four-year veteran.

Through the first stretch of the season, Reed appeared in just 12 games for the Pistons. He produced five points and two rebounds per outing. From the field, Reed hit on 54 percent of his shots. He knocked down 36 percent of his threes.

The decision to part ways with Reed made sense to many, considering the deadline for the contract to become fully guaranteed was coming up. But since that key date is still roughly a month away, the timing of the move caused NBA fans to grow curious about what could come next.

Paul Reed playing for the Pistons. — Nov 6, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) goes up for a dunk against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) during the second quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

NBA Fans React to the Paul Reed Move

@sean_corp: I don't get the Paul Reed move. They had money to burn and his deal wasn't guaranteed until Jan. 10. Why waive him now? You picked him up on waivers with an eye to trade him and you waive the white flag nearly a month before you need to???

I don't get the Paul Reed move. They had money to burn and his deal wasn't guaranteed until Jan. 10. Why waive him now?

You picked him up on waivers with an eye to trade him and you waive the white flag nearly a month before you need to???
— Sean Corp (@sean_corp) December 14, 2024

@PistonsProvince: Releasing Paul reed is strange. Pistons must be doing a trade or signing someone soon

Releasing Paul reed is strange. Pistons must be doing a trade or signing someone soon
— Pistons Province (@PistonsProvince) December 14, 2024

@PistonsThoughts: See….i don’t think you waive Paul Reed today with Duren’s injury unless you have something else lined up. December 15 is tomorrow, which is the day majority of the league becomes eligible for trade

See….i don’t think you waive Paul Reed today with Duren’s injury unless you have something else lined up

December 15 is tomorrow, which is the day majority of the league becomes eligible for trade https://t.co/NGcz1oy8VI
— PistonsThoughts (@PistonsThoughts) December 14, 2024

@_leeescobedo: Detroit’s waiving of Paul Reed, a center who provided crucial depth at center, positions them $ to add spacing in Nicola Vucevic.

Detroit’s waiving of Paul Reed, a center who provided crucial depth at center, positions them $ to add spacing in Nicola Vucevic.
— Lee Escobedo (@_leeescobedo) December 14, 2024

@seanhalfcourt: The Pistons need to reach the salary floor by Sunday with the waiving of Paul Reed. Detroit also now only has two centers. Nikola Vucevic incoming???

The Pistons need to reach the salary floor by Sunday with the waiving of Paul Reed.

Detroit also now only has two centers.

Nikola Vucevic incoming??? https://t.co/7ObyeDancH
— Sean Murphy (@seanhalfcourt) December 14, 2024