The Pistons shored up their playoff roster by signing two-way center Tolu Smith to a standard contract and waiving Bobi Klintman. The move has short-term utility for this year’s postseason, but also likely spells Paul Reed’s upcoming exit from the team after his current contract is up. Reed seems bound for more lucrative pastures once he becomes a free agent and Smith could be his replacement as a third-string center.
Paul Reed is as good as gone next summer
Reed is under contract through the summer of 2027, but his contract isn’t guaranteed for next season. However, the Pistons will likely keep him through next season because he’s generally played better than his $5.6 million price tag. Even though Reed doesn’t mesh well with other bigs, he’s given the Pistons all they need when he can play his usual center role.
Excluding his last start when he was forced into an uncomfortable power forward role, Reed is averaging 15 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game as a starter this season. He adds huge defensive impact with 2 blocks and 2 steals per game as well. With these breakout performances, he’s bound to get some big offers when he hits free agency.
The Pistons could be in a financial logjam this summer. They need to extend All-Star center Jalen Duren, and likely also defensive ace Ausar Thompson. Both can command large paydays with their recent standout play, putting a limit on how much the Pistons can spend elsewhere.
Reed could soon become a luxury that the Pistons can’t afford anymore. When he enters free agency, he’ll be 27 years old squarely in the middle of his prime and ready for a bigger role. Fortunately, the Pistons may have discovered the perfect cheap replacement in Tolu Smith.
Tolu Smith can take Paul Reed’s spot in the rotation
Smith has steadily emerged for the Pistons this season as a reliable big body. He’s an old school center who prefers to use his physicality around the paint on both ends. Between his rebounding, hard rolls to the rim, and rim protection, Smith has the perfect makings of a classic energy big.
He’s certainly less skilled than Reed, who can bust out the occasional 3-ball or nasty crossover. But Smith might be all the Pistons need (and can afford) from their third-string center going forward. As the young core develops and gets more expensive, Detroit will have to make sacrifices elsewhere and going from Reed to Smith is a perfect example.
Paul Reed’s time as a Piston isn’t over yet but his days could be numbered. Ironically, BBall Paul will probably find himself out of the team’s long-term plans not because he’s disappointing, but because he’s too good.