DePaul's most prominent NBA representative this week got some welcome financial security: Detroit fully guaranteed Paul Reed's $5.6 million salary for the 2026-27 season, according to a report published September 2.
The move signals that the Pistons view Reed as a locked-in piece of their rotation heading into the season. The 6-year veteran — who plays backup center for Detroit — had previously been on a contract where that salary was at risk of not being fully guaranteed, making Wednesday's news a meaningful development for both Reed and the franchise. Guaranteeing the full amount removes any lingering uncertainty about his roster status and gives him a stable footing as training camp approaches.
Reed, who played his college ball at DePaul before entering the league, has carved out a durable NBA career despite rarely stepping into a starring role. His longevity — six seasons and counting — speaks to the kind of professional versatility that keeps role players employed in a league that churns through rosters aggressively. For a Blue Demons program that doesn't always see its alumni stick in the NBA this long, Reed's continued presence in a guaranteed contract situation is a legitimate point of pride.
The Pistons, coming off a period of roster-building under a young core, appear to value what Reed brings as a big man off the bench. Fully guaranteeing his deal rather than letting it sit in limbo suggests Detroit's front office made a deliberate choice to keep him around — not just as a training camp body, but as a real contributor.
No other DePaul alumni made notable moves in NBA transaction news during the August 30–September 5 window. Javon Freeman-Liberty remains with Toronto, Javan Johnson is on Golden State's roster, David Jones is with San Antonio, and Max Strus is with the Clippers — but none generated reportable activity during the period.
For DePaul fans tracking their alumni at the professional level, Reed's guaranteed payday is the headline of the week — a straightforward but genuinely good piece of news for a player who has quietly built a respectable NBA tenure.
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