Right now, Philadelphia 76ers big man Paul Reed is averaging 4.2 points and 3.8 rebounds during just 10.9 minutes per game.
But if new coach Nick Nurse has his way, that will be changing soon.
According to Ky Carlin, via Jacob Moreno, Nurse wants to mold Reed into a “Pascal Siakam-type player.”
Reed said Nurse sees him as “somebody who can kind of do it all. Shoot the ball, drive, pass, but right now it’s all about focusing on my shot mechanics.”
That would be an impressive transformation for Reed, and wonderful news for the Sixers.
Nick Nurse wants to mold Paul Reed into a Pascal Siakam-type player:
"He talked about molding me into a Pascal Siakam-type player. Somebody who can kind of do it all. Shoot the ball, drive, pass, but right it’s all about focusing on my shot mechanics."
(via @Ky_Carlin) pic.twitter.com/VWvK4N7qvD
— Jacob Moreno (@Jacobmorenonba) July 25, 2023
When Nurse signed on to be the 76ers’ new head coach, he knew he had his work cut out for him.
Although there are several very talented stars on the team, they keep missing their goal of postseason greatness.
Doc Rivers has tinkered with multiple lineups and approaches to the game but none paid off.
So Nurse is going back to the drawing board and will do whatever it takes to alter the team he has now.
Nurse is smart to model Reed after Siakam.
The Toronto Raptors star is now scoring 24.2 points every night as well as 7.8 rebounds.
He is a two-time All-Star as well as the 2018-19 Most Improved Player.
He is also one of the most impressive defensive players in the NBA.
Of course, making this progress with Reed is only one of many tasks that Nurse will have to tackle.
He will have to form a close bond with Joel Embiid and work out new rotations with all of the other players.
Additionally, he will have to deal with any big changes the team experiences if and when James Harden is finally traded.
NEXT: Sixers Center Shares Feelings On James Harden's Trade Request