Paul Reed is set to make $5.6 million next season for the Detroit Pistons, but he’s in position to get himself a big raise.
That money was recently fully guaranteed by Detroit, who only needed to see 13 minutes per game from Reed in the playoffs to think he could be a cheaper upgrade to Isaiah Stewart.
Until Jalen Duren signs, Reed is the de facto starting center for the Pistons, but even after Duren is on board, Reed should have a much larger role next season as the primary backup.
Reed has every reason to be motivated by this promotion, as he has more to gain than any Pistons player next season.
Paul Reed heading into free agency
Paul Reed’s current contract can’t be extended, so he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, though the Pistons will retain his Bird rights.
If Reed can prove himself to be a solid backup center in the regular season, and then has another solid playoff run, he’ll be in a position for a massive raise next summer.
Reed’s current contract represents third center money, so the Pistons will be getting a discount for next season, but that won’t last if Reed plays 20+ minutes per game and produces like he has in the past.
Isaiah Stewart is making $15 million for 10/5 splits with some shot blocking thrown into 22 minutes per game, so if Reed can equal or better those numbers, you have to think he’ll be in line for that kind of money next offseason.
Reed has the chance to at least triple his yearly salary, so I expect he’ll come into this season well motivated and ready to get himself paid.
There is even a small chance his role will be unexpectedly large next season.
Paul Reed is now Jalen Duren insurance
I expect Duren will sign at some point, but I’ve been saying that all offseason and there is still no deal in sight.
Pistons media day is three weeks from now and training camp starts the next day, so there is a possibility Duren will be a training camp holdout. He has until October 1st to accept the qualifying offer and the beginning of the season to finalize a deal.
It seems unlikely, but there is a chance Duren is not back with the Pistons next season, or is on a one-year deal, in which case, Reed is suddenly even more important. Let’s face it, he outplayed Duren in the playoffs, and at some point, the Pistons might just wonder why they are paying Duren nearly $40 million a year when they have Reed for less than six.
Hopefully Reed will be Duren’s backup, as the Pistons need them both, but even that role affords him an excellent opportunity to get himself a much larger deal in the future, so expect Reed to be one of the most motivated Pistons next season.
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