Tolu Smith signing doesn't mean what people think for the Pistons

The Detroit Pistons’ recent signing of Tolu Smith to a full-time deal had many wondering how it would affect other players on the roster, specifically Paul Reed. 

In the present, signing Smith meant ditching Bobi Klintman, which not only got rid of some dead weight, but allowed Smith to be part of the playoff roster, a nice insurance policy to have in case someone gets hurt since Klintman was never going to play anyway.

The signing also led to speculation that it could be the end for Paul Reed. This makes some sense, as the Pistons may look to cut Reed’s money and go for the cheaper option. Reed has been a luxury as a third center this season the Pistons may not be able to afford once their roster gets more expensive. 

He’s also played well enough to have some trade value this summer, as he’s certainly outplayed his third center status, and there are teams that would love to have him as their backup or even as their starter. 

But all of these are future problems, and there is no reason why the Smith signing has to affect Reed at all. 

Paul Reed is too valuable to the Pistons to give away 

Reed has proven himself to be an important part of the roster this season, as he’s appeared in 63 games, 10 of them as a starter. The Pistons have gone 7-3 in his starts, and Reed has been ready every night whether he’s starting or not. 

Injuries and suspensions have forced him into more games than the Pistons might have anticipated, but he’s shown that a third center is more than just a luxury, it’s a necessity. 

You can seriously ask where the Pistons might be right now if they’d not had Reed to fill in for Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart this season, so he’s a guy they value and aren’t going to trade just to save a little money or pick up a second-round pick. 

I’m not saying the Pistons won’t trade Reed, as they might if they need that cap space, but they won’t do it just to do it. 

Paul Reed is still under contract 

I’ve seen a lot of fans acting as if Reed’s departure is a done deal, but that isn’t true at all, as he is still under contract for next season. 

He’s on a team-friendly deal that he is outplaying by a wide margin, so why would the Pistons not want him? They aren’t going to find a better third center for the cost, and even though Tolu Smith has played well when called upon, he’s not proven he can be counted on like Reed has. 

Smith essentially just took the spot of a guy who wasn’t playing anyway and had no future on the team. Those things can’t be said about Reed, so the Smith signing had nothing to do with BBall Paul’s future with the Pistons.