The Detroit Pistons were forced to pivot from what had been their plan for the offseason following the news concerning former wing Malik Beasley's inclusion in an investigation into gambling allegations.
While re-signing Beasley was at the top of the team's to-do list this summer, they had to change course for obvious reasons, which led to several new faces heading to the Motor City once free agency opened.
The moves to acquire Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert will be the most talked-about moves made by Trajan Langdon, but the best value signing of the offseason was one that kept a player in the fold.
Paul Reed Could Be the Pistons' Best Value Signing of 2025 Offseason
Jalen Duren is the man in the middle for the Pistons. He has earned that right with the way he has performed since entering the league. Isaiah Stewart's standing as the team's primary backup is safe as well. With all of that having been said, Detroit's best value signing of the summer is retaining Paul Reed on a two-year, $10.9 million deal.
You don't earn the nickname B-Ball Paul without having some game, and Reed has plenty of it. To have a third-string big man who is capable of doing all the things Reed can when called upon is a luxury not many teams can say they have. While his per-game averages of 4.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists don't show it, one look at his game log in the instances where he did see extended minutes proves he can score, rebound, protect the rim, and set the table for his teammates with assists on the offensive end.
Having a player that skilled as your "break in case of emergency" option off the bench surely helps J.B. Bickerstaff sleep at night during the season. One look at the Los Angeles Lakers' implosion during the 2024 playoffs reinforces how important big man play is, even if the game has shifted more toward pace and space.
To have that sort of potential production at your disposal, on that affordable of a contract, is a major win for the Pistons front office.