Free Agent Target No. 7: Paul Reed, Philadelphia 76ers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a starting center in Jarrett Allen entrenched, and they will increasingly give center minutes to Evan Mobley as he builds strength. They don’t need to spend major resources this summer on a center.
Yet it was clearly an issue for the Cavs when one of Allen or Mobley missed time, and on a team without much rim protection having another big on the roster who can provide resistance at the basket will be a secondary priority this summer for the front office. Paul Reed of the 76ers has been having an excellent postseason and is a major reason why the Sixers are still alive.
Paul Reed is a restricted free agent this summer, and the 76ers might just keep him around. The way his role has been slung about, however, and with the new draconian tax rules incoming, Philly may cut him loose to keep a veteran option behind Joel Embiid.
If so, the Cavs should make the phone call. If Reed would sign for the Bi-Annual Exception, around $4.5 million per season, the Cavaliers would have a reliable backup to Allen who could fill plenty of minutes in the regular season and give them the option to keep Mobley at the 4 to maximize their size and defense.
Another option on Philly is Jalen McDaniels, a wing with upside who is trying to figure out how much of “3-and-D” he is ready to provide. He’s worth a look by the Cavs as an unrestricted free agent this summer.