Sixers: Ranking every player on the roster after James Harden trade

Ranking every Sixers player — 10. Paul Reed

Having “B-Ball” Paul Reed at number ten on our list feels less like a fact and more like a hunch. Or hope. But Reed is a unique prospect because his NBA floor is the same as anyone else’s (out of the league), but his ceiling is significantly higher, and this is not based upon hunch but upon what we currently know.

Let’s address the negatives — he has seriously ugly form on his shot and has had moments in his time with the Sixers when he looked like the game was moving too fast for him. His form is less relevant if it goes in and the NBA has a long history of guys with ugly jumpers who are actually consistent shooters.  He has yet to make a 3 at the NBA level yet but he is a 40 percent shooter from 3 in the G-League, over 27 games and taking over four 3s per game, which is a fair sample size. Combine that with how elite he has been in the G-League (2020-21 MVP and Rookie of the Year) and there is a real reason to believe that if he was given consistent minutes at center, he would thrive.

Coach Rivers has often played him out of position at the power forward spot where he has struggled, but with the trade of Andre Drummond there are suddenly minutes available behind Joel Embiid.  Those 15-16 minutes per game are going to go somewhere and the only thing standing in Reed’s way is the fact that Rivers prefers older veterans over younger players. New Sixer Paul Millsap could get the minutes but his best years are behind him and the Sixers should be trying to grow their younger players while they push for the playoffs.  There is no reason they can’t do both.  Rookie Charles Bassey looks like a player but he is even younger and more raw than Reed, so ‘B-Ball” Paul should get the nod.

Reed is a high-energy, bouncy defender and rim-runner who goes to the glass hard for a skinny, undersized center.  He racks up steals and blocks at a high rate and his quickness negates the fact that he is shorter than a lot of big men he will be challenging.  He did a respectable job defending Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this year and has looked fearless and comfortable this year in his limited time on the court.  When you add in the fact that the skills we have just listed (fast, athletic, bouncy, great defender, rim runner) make him the perfect big man to pair with James Harden during stretches when Embiid is on the bench, there is no reason for the Sixers to consider playing Millsap or Bassey, both of whom lack the pick and roll explosiveness that Reed provides.  Harden is an all time great at throwing pick and roll alley-oops and Reed would shine in that role.

Reed is not going to be a spectacular player this year, or maybe ever, but he can be a difference maker in short bursts if Rivers would just take a chance on him, give him consistent time and a role to settle into, and take off the training wheels.  Reed is ready for more.

— Matt Cahill