3 goals for Sixers big Paul Reed: Prove he can play center
The big overarching question for Paul Reed is, “can he play center?” In my opinion, the answer is a pretty definitive yes, and the Sixers should barely even consider the possibility of playing him at power forward given the current roster build (A.K.A., Joel Embiid).
That said, Reed will need to prove he can maintain his absurd defensive output when faced with NBA physicality. Very few players are more physical than Reed, and his mobility is a definite asset in the middle, but he’s still lean for a 6-foot-9 center. The bigger bodies, such as Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Steven Adams, will take it right to his chest. Reed will need to prove he can survive those physical brawls in the post.
Given how slim the path is to playing time at the four (Reed simply lacks the offensive dynamism to pair up with Embiid or Andre Drummond), his one real shot at cracking the rotation is at center. That is also the position he is best suited to in the modern game. He’s not a traditional rim protector, but he covers so much ground defensively (including at the rim) that he can still operate as the backbone of a second unit.
Reed was the best rebounder in the G-League last season. All the evidence, from Summer League back to DePaul, suggests he can become an elite NBA rebounder in time. His effort never fails, and he has talked openly about his goal to add more muscle ahead of training camp. Everything points to Reed being a center. This season, he should silence the doubts once and for all.