Sixers: 3 goals for Paul Reed in 2021-22 season

3 goals for Sixers big Paul Reed: Overtake Andre Drummond

This is Paul Reed’s toughest task by far. If he’s good enough to play — and he is — then the next step is actually motivating Doc Rivers to replace Andre Drummond in the rotation. The two will not play side-by-side, and Rivers no doubt has a predisposition in Drummond’s favor. If Reed wants to play, he has to be so good that Rivers doesn’t have a choice in the matter.

Not only is this Reed’s toughest task, but it’s an admittedly ambitious goal. He is young and the Sixers should have no problem bringing him along slowly. Drummond is also a legitimately good NBA player, at least when he wants to be. With a damaged reputation and a career to salvage, Drummond has all the motivation in the world to outperform his contract.

That said, Reed makes a lot more sense in context of Philadelphia’s roster. Even if Ben Simmons gets traded, Reed’s mobile hyper-activity, combined with a legitimate 3-point shot, make him an intriguing second unit complement to Joel Embiid. Drummond is a more traditional bruiser whose postseason resumé is slight and spotty.

It may be too soon to say, with confidence, that Reed should play over Drummond. Two years ago, Drummond was averaging 18 points and 16 rebounds a game. There is a world, however, in which Reed impacts the game more robustly than Drummond. That is within the realm of possibility, and it’s something Doc Rivers should (but probably won’t) be open to exploring.