Report: ‘Paul Reed expected to be waived or used in a trade’

Questions around Paul Reed’s future have swirled for months between his contract becoming guaranteed after the Sixers’ first-round exit and the team’s additions in the draft. Now, a report by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto suggests that his time in Philadelphia may be up.

In a Sixers-centric section of his latest NBA info-dump, Scotto wrote on Philadelphia’s continued pursuit of free agents and other roster targets to be acquired via the trade market, alluding that Reed’s future with the team is closely tied to their potential additions.

“Philadelphia is scouring the free agent market and potential trade options to land another forward, with Paul Reed expected to be waived or used in a trade, league sources told HoopsHype.”

A fan-favorite, losing Reed will not come easily for fans, but the Sixers’ pursuit of an NBA championship cannot be put on hold. While the roster is already improved from last season, there remains the issue of not only depth, but filling out the final starting spot in the lineup.

The news, as surprising as it may feel to see broken down in plain language, did not come without warning signs.

The reacquisition of Andre Drummond was a rather large nail in the coffin of Paul Reed’s Sixers career. With Drummond set to take the majority of minutes backing up Joel Embiid, Reed’s role became questionable at best.

An additional hit to Paul Reed’s stock with the team relates to the recent drafting of center Adem Bona. While it’s rare for a second-round pick to make an impact in year one, Bona’s defensive versatility and motor often translate a bit more naturally between college and the pros.

While it was possible the team could have signed Bona to a two-way deal after selecting him with the 41st pick, Scotto mentions in the very same piece that the Sixers’ new center is expected to sign a standard NBA contract:

“The team’s No. 41 overall pick, Adem Bona, is expected to land a standard NBA contract and earn a roster spot with the 76ers, league sources told HoopsHype.“

Reed’s cap hit this season sits at just over $7.7 million. If he were to be waived, the Sixers would hold north of $9 million in remaining cap space with which to target free agents. If the Sixers were to trade Reed, they would be able to take up to $15.2 million.

There are a few potential options to consider in that range, including Dorian Finney-Smith, who Scotto also connected to the Sixers, saying the team has “exploratory interest in trading for Nets forward.” Although Scotto maintained that nothing is imminent.

There’s no certainty yet on what the future holds for Paul Reed, but at just 25 years of age and having improved in each season in the league, the future remains sunny, even if it’s outside Philadelphia.

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