The Pistons’ center picture changed fast this offseason, and Paul Reed is stepping into the middle of it with a chance to matter right away.
After Isaiah Stewart was traded, Reed is lined up for the backup center job, and Detroit is counting on him to carry over the kind of per-minute production that has made him such an intriguing piece. He’s also already thinking ahead, having shared social media posts reviewing the Pistons/Cavaliers series - a sign he’s paying attention to the playoff details that can swing a season.
That matters in Detroit, where Reed is entering his seventh season and expected to handle whatever role the team asks of him. The Pistons have seen some notable departures this offseason, but they still have players in the mix to fill those gaps. Reed, though, might be the biggest swing factor of all, especially after Detroit’s elite center rotation helped fuel a 60-win season last year.
The real test, as the source makes clear, is what happens in the playoffs. Detroit’s inability to land a major star becomes even more glaring there, when opponents can load up on Cade Cunningham and dare someone else to beat them. In the Pistons’ most recent playoff run, that approach shut down every Detroit center except Reed.
Even in a tiny sample, Reed made his minutes count. He averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds in just 9 minutes per game during the playoffs, and he didn’t play at all in 5 of the Pistons’ 14 games. On a per-36-minute basis, that works out to 28 points and 15 rebounds.
The Pistons obviously can’t expect that exact production if his workload grows, but they do need Reed to keep bringing the same kind of energy. He’ll be asked to score efficiently, finish pick-and-rolls and bring the hustle that helps Detroit hold its edge on the boards and in the paint.
There’s more to his game than the usual center job description, too. Reed can handle the ball, make crafty passes and even knock down the occasional 3-pointer, which gives Detroit another offensive wrinkle compared with presumptive starter Jalen Duren. That kind of versatility could force defenses into different decisions when the games tighten up.
Defense will be the bigger assignment. Reed is stepping into the spot vacated by Isaiah Stewart, one of the NBA’s best per-minute defenders and one of last season’s top rim protectors. Reed has the instincts and mobility to hold up at the rim, but the source notes he could have a harder time if he’s asked to switch as often as Stewart did.
Still, Reed looks ready for the responsibility. Detroit has a major role open at one of its most important positions, and Reed is already positioning himself as part of the answer, with the playoffs in mind.
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Durens side of the ledger looks much trickier for the Pistons. After a disappointing playoff showing, he is reportedly pushing for a max extension, even as Detroit has every reason to be cautious about committing that kind of money right now. For a young center still trying to prove he can anchor winning basketball when the games get tighter, the gap between what he wants and what the team is willing to discuss could define the next stretch of the offseason. [Read more 🡒]
Daniss Jenkins Could Force A Tough Pistons Decision Next Season
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For Jenkins, the appeal is obvious: if his game takes a real step forward, he could make himself more than just another young piece on the roster. The Pistons would love that kind of growth on the floor, but it would also mean a tougher call when it comes time to talk about his next deal, especially with the team trying to preserve flexibility for the contracts still ahead. [Read more 🡒]