76ers News: Paul Reed Wants More Than Joel Embiid’s Backup Role

"Bball Paul" wants a shot at the Sixers' starting five.

The Utah Jazz pressured the Philadelphia 76ers to show Paul Reed the money this summer. As the former second-rounder entered the free agency market as a restricted prospect, Reed earned a three-year offer, which was worth over $23 million.

Considering the Sixers had signed Mo Bamba, re-signed Montrezl Harrell, and had plans to bring the former second-round pick Filip Petrusev over from Europe, many believed Reed was Utah-bound.

But the Sixers decided to match the Jazz’s offer sheet, bringing Reed back for the 2023-2024 NBA season and beyond. The young veteran earned his significant contract offer after an impressive third season with the Sixers. Although he wasn’t Joel Embiid’s primary backup to start the 2022-2023 season off, that’s how he finished. 

Last year, Reed played the backup center position for 67 games. During that time, he averaged four points and four blocks while taking the court for 11 minutes per matchup. In the playoffs, Reed appeared in 11 games for the Sixers, even starting in Embiid’s place for two matchups. Once again, Reed flashed promise by averaging five points and six rebounds while spending 14 minutes on the floor.

With Reed set to make his return to the Sixers for a fourth season, it’s easy to assume he’ll resume a role behind Embiid. However, The Athletic’s Law Murray reports that Reed has his eyes on the starting power forward position next to the MVP big man in 2023-2024.

“Paul Reed told me this month that he is eyeing minutes at the power forward spot and would like a chance to start after Philadelphia matched an offer sheet from Utah to retain Reed,” Murray wrote while ranking the league’s starting fours.

The insider noted that Philly’s current starting power forward, PJ Tucker, is a “champion role player” while questioning his chances of starting next season due to Reed’s presence. Last year, Tucker was Philadelphia’s most notable free agency signing as he inked a three-year deal following his one-year run with the Miami Heat.

Tucker started in all 75 games he played. Averaging 26 minutes on the court, Tucker put up four points per game while coming down with four rebounds. Despite his lack of scoring on a nightly basis, Tucker played his role correctly, averaging 39 percent from three and being up for the task of guarding some of the Sixers’ toughest defensive assignments. 

It was apparent Tucker had a huge fan in Philadelphia’s former head coach Doc Rivers. With Nick Nurse taking over and running the show, it’s unclear whether or not Tucker will head to the bench for a reserve role or resume as a Sixers’ starter.

Regardless of what Nurse has in the plan right now, Reed seems to be confidently gunning for a starting role. While he’s best suited as Embiid’s primary backup at this moment, especially with Montrezl Harrell out with a knee injury, Reed has gone on record this summer to state he would embrace a hybrid role. Soon, we’ll see if Nurse is on the same page.