The Detroit Pistons waived center Paul Reed last night, ensuring that his contract did not become fully guaranteed.
The move gives them an extra roster spot, a bit more cap space and also nearly guarantees that another move is coming today.
The Detroit Pistons are waiving center Paul Reed, sources tell ESPN. In 12 games, Reed has averaged 4.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10 minutes. The move was made to give Detroit roster and salary flexibility with the NBA trade deadline less than two months away. pic.twitter.com/93AOdymJXP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 14, 2024
The Pistons are now $1.4 million below the minimum salary floor, so have until the end of today to add another player to get above it and keep the team eligible for revenue sharing.
Reed wasn’t playing anyway, and wasn’t great when he did, so he is not a big loss, but it does seem like the Pistons should have been able to get something for him.
In the end the Reed era isn’t going to matter in Detroit, but I am sick of these types of signings, as he was just a waste of a roster spot on a team that has needs in other areas. They could have had a cheaper, veteran center this entire time that might have made a difference.
But you do have to wonder what is coming next. The trade deadline isn’t until February, and now the Pistons have two open roster spots and around $15.5 million in cap space. Here are some of their options.
Option #1: Do nothing
Ok, they will have to do something, but they could just sign some minimum free agent to sit on the back of the bench, get over the salary minimum and call it a day.
This is easily the least exciting of their choices, but also wouldn’t prevent the Pistons from making future moves nearer the trade deadline.
Option #2: Sign a middling free agent
The Pistons could also sign one of the handful of decent NBA players who were unable to find jobs for whatever reason.
After jettisoning Reed, they could use another warm body at center and they’ve long needed some kind of playmaking guard who can take some of the pressure off Cade Cunningham and the bench for stretches.
Names to watch: Dennis Smith Jr., Markelle Fultz
Option #3: Trade for a difference maker
The Pistons could make a move for a player who could help propel them into the play-in or even the playoff discussion, as was recently suggested by Bill Simmons.
This is the most interesting option, but one that would divide the fanbase, as there is a sizable portion of it who think the Pistons should continue to be patient and hope for more draft luck, a strategy that hasn’t worked at all.
This might involve trading one of the young players or some draft assets, but there are guys out there they could pursue who would at least make this team interesting. All of these players appear available and the Pistons have the assets to go get one of them.