76ers match Jazz’s offer sheet for Paul Reed

“Bball Paul” will stay in Philadelphia after all. On Sunday, the 76ers announced that the team had matched the Utah Jazz’s offer sheet and have re-signed Paul Reed. 

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it’s a three-year, $23 million deal, and per sheet’s terms, Philly must guarantee the last two years of Reed’s contract if they win the opening round of playoffs this season.

Last season, the 24-year-old averaged career highs in points (4.2), rebounds (3.8), and blocked shots (0.7) in 2022-23 while shooting 59.3% from the field. He tallied five double-doubles in 69 games last season. He was one of two NBA players to collect at least 100 offensive rebounds in fewer than 800 minutes played. 

The three-year pro was a valuable contributor in the playoffs. He made two starts during this latest postseason run, recording double-doubles in wins at Brooklyn (Round 1, Game 4) and Boston (Round 2, Game 1). 

Originally selected by Philadelphia with the No. 58 overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft out of DePaul, Reed played well in the G League and was named the league’s MVP in 2021.

Philly signs Beverley and Bamba

The 76ers also officially announced the signings of veteran guard Patrick Beverley and center Mo Bamba on Sunday.

Both Bamba and Beverley reportedly signed one-year deals with the team.

Bamba, an alumnus of Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, joins Philadelphia after playing for the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23, averaging 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. The sixth pick in the 2018 NBA draft also shot a combined 38.7% from three last season, marking a career-high. 

Through five NBA seasons, the 25-year-old holds averages of 7.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocked shots in 275 games between Orlando and Los Angeles. 

This past season, Beverley appeared in 67 games (all starts) between the Los Angeles Lakers (45 games) and Chicago Bulls (22 games), averaging 6.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 27.1 minutes per game. 

For his career, the 11-year veteran has played for five NBA franchises (Houston, the L.A. Clippers, Minnesota, the Lakers, and Chicago) and holds averages of 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 27.4 minutes across 593 NBA games (503 starts). 

The 34-year-old has been selected to three All-NBA Defensive Teams (2013-14, 2016-17, 2019-20), including a First Team selection in 2016-17 with Houston. 

Analysis:

The 76ers brought back their two backup centers, Montrezl Harrell(reportedly on one-year deal) and Reed, and added Bamba.

It should be interesting to see how these three bigs will be utilized. At times, Bamba and Reed will probably get minutes at the backup four spot. Philly could not let the promising Reed go, and they had to match. Bamba, who has a relationship with Joel Embiid, could be a great signing; he’s young and has ability.

If injuries occur, Harrell will be next in line.

Regarding Beverley, he’s still a very good defender at the guard spot and brings more toughness to the team.

Patrick Beverley believes the Clippers are better than the Warriors, Lakers(Watch)

The Lakers have LeBron James, and the world champion Golden State Warriors have five All-Stars after signing DeMarcus Cousins, but according to the Clippers Patrick Beverley, the Clippers are better than both of those teams.

Here is how Beverley ranks the top two teams in the NBA:

“Clippers, when were healthy; then, Golden State because they are the champions,” Beverley told TMZ Sports.

Beverley should think his team is the best in the NBA, but reality says something else. They lost DeAndre Jordan, and traded away Austin Rivers, and replaced them with Avery Bradley and Marcin Gortat. In the draft, the Clippers added Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson At this point, the Clippers look like a team that will struggle to make the playoffs next season.

In the end, maybe Beverley knows something that we don’t.

Watch below:

Patrick Beverley requested trade from Rockets

Clippers G Patrick Beverley asked and received a trade from the Rockets. Beverley was apart of the deal that sent Chris Paul to the Rockets back in June. The 29-year-old Beverley told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on The WoJ Podcast why he requested a trade:

“I asked for it. I asked for a bigger opportunity, a bigger chance to display my skills on a high level. And I was fortunate that the Rockets did really good with me and put me in a situation where I can thrive and be successful. They could have really dumped me anywhere, but they did right, and I respect them a lot for it,” explained Beverley.

Beverley should have a bigger opportunity with the new look Clippers.  While he is not Chris Paul, Beverley is a tenacious defender, and a decent replacement.

Beverley averaged 9.5 ppg, 4.2 asts, and 5.9 rpg with the Rockets last season.