Pistons Officially Claim Paul Reed Off Waivers

The Detroit Pistons have made a successful waiver claim of forward/center Paul Reed, officially adding him to the roster, per the RealGM transactions log.

Reed, 25, appeared in all 82 games last season with the Philadelphia 765ers, averaging 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. But he became the odd man out after the Sixers signed backup center Andre Drummond to back up All-Star Joel Embiid.

Since Reed was claimed off waivers, his contract remains intact. With the Pistons, he will enter the second of a three-year, $24 million deal signed with the Utah Jazz in 2023, matched by the 76ers. Philadelphia waived Reed to create additional cap space and help land the likes of forwards Paul George and Caleb Martin, guard Eric Gordon and Drummond.

Meanwhile, the Pistons continue to add veterans from winning situations to the otherwise young roster, now being coached by J.B. Bickerstaff, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Along with Reed, they signed forward Tobias Harris, another former Sixer, and have landed shooting guard Malik Beasley and wing Tim Hardaway Jr. via free agency/trade.

So it’s a new day in Detroit under new head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, punctuated by the news that the Pistons are signing guard and franchise face Cade Cunningham to a max contract extension. 

Detroit finished with the NBA’s worst record this past season (14-68), setting the single-season mark for consecutive losses at 28. Clearly, however, the idea is to take the next step and become as competitive as possible. This once-proud franchise has grown tired of all the losing and its recent moves are evidence of that.