The Utah Jazz Massively Trolled The 76ers By Adding Twist To Paul Reed’s Contract
The Philadelphia 76ers have matched the three-year, $23 million offer sheet that Paul Reed signed with the Utah Jazz, keeping the restricted free agent in Philadelphia.
Reed, 24, was a key contributor for the Sixers last season, averaging 4.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He was a force off the bench, providing energy and athleticism on both ends of the floor.
The Jazz made a strong offer for Reed, hoping to add some depth to their frontcourt. However, the Sixers were unwilling to let him go, matching the offer sheet and keeping him in the fold.
However, Utah Jazz CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge added a twist to Reed’s contract that ultimately trolls the Sixers franchise, as Utah managed to include an unusual detail.
“One of the terms of the offer sheet provided a unique twist on Reed’s contract: The first season of the contract is fully guaranteed, but the next two years worth $15.7 million become guaranteed if the Sixers advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, sources said.”
One of the terms of the offer sheet provides a unique twist: The first season of the contract is fully guaranteed and the two following become guaranteed for $15.7 million if Reed’s team advances to conference semi-finals in the 2023-24 season, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 8, 2023
While NBA contracts usually are pretty standard, this has to be one of the “most hilarious and specific poison pill” you will ever find in an NBA contract.
Most hilarious and specific poison pill I’ve ever seen https://t.co/7VBrV20iJR
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) July 8, 2023
Philadelphia hasn’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001, even though they’ve reached the playoffs in each of the past six seasons in a row. Pretty great troll job by the Jazz and a move that made Philly’s matching decision more complicated, with thee reason dating back over ten years.
Per ESPN:
“As the Houston Rockets general manager 11 years ago, Daryl Morey signed Chicago Bulls restricted free agent center Omer Asik to a three-year, $24.3 million offer sheet. The deal included a “poison pill” provision that backloaded $15 million in the third year of the contract, an idea that he worked on with Asik’s agent, Justin Zanik. Now, Zanik is the Jazz GM who delivered that unique guarantee provision in Reed’s offer sheet.”
