2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Willie Reed: 1 year, $1.5 million (Los Angeles Clippers)
Free agent center Willie Reed has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources tell ESPN. One-year, $1.5 million pact.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 18, 2017
Coming off a breakout season with the Miami Heat, Willie Reed’s contract with the Los Angeles Clippers gives a pretty good idea about how rapidly the market for backup centers dried up in free agency this summer.
Though he only averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 points in 14.5 minutes per game last year, Reed shot 56.8 percent from the field and impressed in five starts, averaging 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Still, it was only enough for a minimum contract to play behind DeAndre Jordan.
Snagging a more than capable backup like Reed for such a cheap price is yet another understated victory for the Clippers. They probably won’t be as good without Chris Paul next season, but this team should be deeper and plenty of fun to watch after a summer spent regrouping from CP3’s departure about as well as could be expected.
Bourguet Grade: A