Sixers’ Paul Reed Linked to Another Team in Free Agency
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Ever since free agency got underway last week, things have been quiet on the Paul Reed front in Philadelphia.
Aside from the Philadelphia 76ers extending a qualifying offer to the 24-year-old veteran center, the restricted free agent hasn’t gained too much traction on the market just yet.
However, on Friday, another team was linked to Reed for the first time this offseason, as the Utah Jazz are reportedly a team to “keep an eye on,” according to Marc Stein.
“I’ve been advised to keep an eye on Utah as a team that could furnish an offer sheet to Sixers restricted free agent Paul Reed. Can the Jazz (or any team) assemble an offer sheet that dissuades Philadelphia from matching? The Sixers are said to be intent on retaining Reed.”
All offseason long, the Sixers have made it clear that they want to keep Reed around. Before the 2022-2023 season concluded, Reed claimed that he had an interest in returning to the Sixers and continuing to build on what he started in Philadelphia.
But ultimately, Reed’s landing spot will come down to whether or not a team prices the Sixers out of their spending range since they can match a team’s offer.
Based on what’s public, Reed doesn’t seem to have the demanding market that was initially predicted when he was a productive contributor for the 76ers in their first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Still, the Sixers have prepared themselves for the reality that it’s still possible Reed could walk. On Wednesday, Philadelphia made its second signing of the free agency period by bringing on former Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers center Mo Bamba. The following night, the Sixers made a shocking move by bringing back the veteran center Montrezl Harrell.
Both moves weren’t expected to be direct indicators of the Sixers eventually losing Reed to the free agency market as the team continues to make it clear that they want the former second-round pick back in the fold.
Soon, we could have some more clarity on the situation, but the Jazz will be a team to keep an eye on as they just waived the veteran center Vernon Cary Jr. on Friday night.