Detroit Pistons waive veteran center ahead of Miami Heat matchup

The Detroit Pistons part ways with veteran center Paul Reed. Accordingly ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Pistons will cut ties with the veteran center so the team can have play and salary flexibility as the NBA trade deadline approaches.

Reed’s time in Detroit ends after just a few months.

Over the summer, the Pistons acquired Reed by claiming him after the Philadelphia 76ers waived him. Reed was entering the second season of his three-year contract. However, his salary was not guaranteed for this year, making Reed a potential cut candidate.

Two offseasons ago, Reed entered the free agency market as a restricted prospect for the first time in his career. He was offered a three-year contract worth $23 million by the Utah Jazz. The Sixers ultimately agreed to the offer and brought back their former second-round pick.

Throughout the 2023-2024 NBA season, Reed averaged seven points and six rebounds in 82 games. He appeared in six playoff games for the Sixers, playing an average of seven minutes.

Reed only appeared in 12 games for the Pistons this season. In the games he played, Reed averaged ten minutes of playing time. He scored five points and two rebounds while making 54 percent of his shots from the field.

It was clear that Reed’s positional battle against Isaiah Stewart for backup minutes at center was an uphill battle. Therefore, the 25-year-old will look for his next opportunity on the NBA free agency market. He will start looking for his third team.