Willie Reed is one of the last centers left standing in NBA free agency. He isn't a star by any means, but he can be a consistent force for a team. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game with the Miami Heat last season. He loves to throw down a nasty dunk or two and is ferocious on the glass. Here are four teams that should consider pursuing the center over the coming days.
4. Golden State Warriors
At the beginning of the offseason, there were rumors that the defending champs would be interested in the former Heat center. Those rumors tapered off after the team re-signed Zaza Pachulia and drafted big man Jordan Bell.
Reed could still serve as a veteran replacement if the team doesn't bring back JaVale McGee, though. He has skills above the rim, which could keep all of those alley-oop possibilities open if McGee is a goner.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has a glut of young big men, primarily Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor. They could use some depth on the front lines, though. Additionally, both of those players - especially Embiid - have major injury concerns, requiring a competent insurance policy for a team that had playoff aspirations this year. They still have a lopsided mix of veterans and NBA newbies, so it wouldn't hurt to add another veteran to the cast like Reed.
2. Indiana Pacers
Reed has some history with Indiana.
He played for the team's Summer League squad several years back and was pursued by them during free agency last year, before he signed with the Heat. The team is reportedly interested in him, which seems a bit odd considering the amount of reserve big men they have on the roster. He would be one of the few options in which the team can play at a faster pace, though, since Reed moves much quicker than Al Jefferson, for instance.
1. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are another team that was rumored to be in pursuit of Reed despite all the assets they collected in the Chris Paul trade. They only have one backup for DeAndre Jordan - new acquisition Montrezl Harrell - and there's at least a small chance Jordan could be traded some time this year. At the very least, he would make the bench deeper - in recent years, that has been the biggest complaint about the Clippers.
It's ironic, however, that it took the departure of one of the team's best players to improve on the weakness that was holding them back from playoff glory throughout his tenure at the Staples Center.
