4 Young players for Philadelphia 76ers to develop, 3 to give up on

Develop: Paul Reed

As a late second-round pick by the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2020 NBA Draft, there weren’t a ton of expectations linked to Paul Reed. However, some of that has changed over the last few years as he’s become to blossom (a bit) in his development as a player. So much so, that he’s become a player that the Sixers can’t afford to give up on. Not yet.

It’s not just that the Sixers matched a three-year, $23 million offer sheet that Reed signed (with the Utah Jazz) which gives us an indication that they’re invested in the young big man, but it’s also the potential that he’s flashed during the first three years of his career. Reed emerged as the primary backup to Joel Embiid last year and that will continue to be the case this season.

At least for now, Reed seems to be part of the team’s young core. If he continues to show flashes of solid play when given the opportunity, you’d have to imagine that his role is only going to grow. The Sixers haven’t seen the best of Reed and that’s exactly what they’re betting on with his new contract.

Though, and somewhat interestingly, the Sixers did sign Mo Bamba as a bit of insurance at the center position.