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LAS VEGAS — "Bball Paul" won't be coming to Utah, after all.
The Philadelphia 76ers have matched the offer sheet Paul Reed signed with the Utah Jazz on Saturday morning, according to multiple reports, and will retain the fan-favorite reserve big man.
Reed signed a three-year, $23 million offer sheet with the Jazz with a unique twist that seemed destined to keep the Sixers from matching it. The provision in the deal: The final two years of the deal will only be guaranteed if Reed's team reaches the second round of the playoffs. It will be considered a massive disappointment if Philadelphia doesn't reach at least the conference semifinals.
The Jazz, meanwhile, are still in the early stages of a rebuild. It's likely it could have turned into a one-year, low-risk contract (plus another potential expiring deal) for Utah, but a full three-year deal for the Sixers.
On top of that, Philadelphia had already signed center Mo Bamba and brought back veteran big man Montrezl Harrell, as well. Oh, and by matching the offers sheet, Philadelphia is now over the $165 million luxury tax threshold, which will result in an additional $14 million in luxury tax penalties.
The clever negotiation by Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik, though, wasn't enough to dissuade the Sixers.
Philadelphia ultimately decided that Reed is worth it. The low-usage, high-energy center averaged over three steals and three blocks per 100 possessions last season in 11 minutes per game. His 20.5% rebound rate was top 10 in the league.
The Jazz could still be looking for some frontcourt depth after they traded away center Damian Jones to Cleveland for the always infamous "cash considerations." Utah used its room level exception for the offer sheet and now can still use that to sign another player.
Utah currently has 14 players on regular contracts.
