Paul Reed didn’t need a huge postseason role to change the Pistons’ thinking. Thirteen minutes a game in the second round was enough to make Detroit treat him like a real answer at backup center, and the team made that clear yesterday by fully guaranteeing his contract for next season. That also sets Reed up to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next year.
During the regular season, Reed was more of a plug-in option than a fixture. He appeared in 65 games and started 11, mostly stepping in because of injuries or suspensions.
Still, whenever Detroit called his number, he delivered. He also brought a more varied offensive game than Isaiah Stewart, which helped explain why the Pistons were comfortable moving on from Beef Stew.
The bigger swing came in the playoffs. Reed barely touched the floor in the Orlando series, showing up in just four of the seven games for only a couple of minutes at a time.
Then the second round against Cleveland opened the door. Jalen Duren and Stewart both struggled badly, and Reed earned a much larger look.
In those 13 minutes per game, he made them count: 11.4 points, 5 rebounds and an assist while shooting over 70 percent from the floor. That production stood out even more next to Duren’s 29 minutes a night and scoring average that didn’t even reach 10 points. Reed was simply more effective.
He’s not a clean, polished player. Reed is awkward, herky jerky and has a weird shot.
But around the rim, he’s a problem, and he gives Detroit more to work with offensively than either of the other centers. He also brings more on defense than he gets credit for, getting his hands on everything and making plays on that end too.
For the Pistons, that mattered. Their role players are judged by what they do in the playoffs, and Reed proved he wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment. He actually got better when the lights got brighter.
That’s a big reason Detroit remains unwilling to give up on Duren, who still hasn’t shown he can deliver in the postseason. And it’s why Reed’s short playoff burst may carry more weight than the minutes suggest.
It wasn’t about volume. It was about impact.
The catch is that the Pistons can’t extend Reed’s current deal, so he’ll head toward free agency next offseason. If those 13 minutes are any indication, he may have already done enough to earn a much bigger payday.
In Other News...
JB Bickerstaff Now Has A Pistons Problem Fans Will Welcome
JB Bickerstaff spent last season leaning on a Pistons defense that finished near the top of the league, and it gave Detroit a clear identity even when the offense stalled in the playoffs. This summer, though, the roster around Cade Cunningham shifted enough to create a different kind of coaching challenge, one that looks much more appealing on paper for a team that needed more scoring help.
Detroit added Isaiah Joe, John Collins and Taurean Prince, and brought back Kevin Huerter, giving Bickerstaff more shooting and spacing options to sort through. The tradeoff is unavoidable: the Pistons also moved on from Isaiah Stewart and Tobias Harris, so the same coach who built his edge on defense now has to keep that side intact while figuring out how to get the best offensive balance from a deeper, more varied group. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Duren May Be Weighing A Risky Bet On His Future
The chatter around Jalen Duren has moved well beyond simple offseason noise, with Sacramento reportedly making a run at him in a sign-and-trade idea before Detroit shut the door. The Pistons, according to the reporting, were not interested in building the deal around Domantas Sabonis, and Duren has since sat down with new general manager Scott Perry as the franchise maps out what comes next for a young big man who still has plenty of upside and leverage.
What makes the situation worth watching is how much of it could hinge on patience, timing and risk. Duren has been discussed as a player who could hit free agency next summer, and the path there is not as straightforward as it looks from the outside. For Detroit, the question is whether it can keep control of a key frontcourt piece without letting another team turn the market into a test of conviction, especially if Sacramento reenters the picture with a more aggressive approach. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Still Have A Chance To Make Another Meaningful Move
Detroit has already spent the summer reshaping its roster, and the work has come in waves. The Pistons added Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris through trades, then brought in John Collins and Elijah Harkless in free agency, giving the front office five new pieces to fold into a group led by Cade Cunningham. With Cunningham still the highest-paid player on the books and a contract extension for Jalen Duren also in discussion, the franchise has made clear it is trying to accelerate the timeline without losing sight of the bigger picture.
What makes the situation more interesting is that the Pistons are not boxed in by this offseasons moves. Their payroll still leaves room for another meaningful addition if the right opportunity appears, and the organization has kept its long-term flexibility intact as it positions itself for a stronger run in the Eastern Conference in 2026-27. For a team that has already done plenty of roster work, the possibility of one more swing remains very much alive. [Read more 🡒]