Willie Reed (Forward)
6-foot-10, 220 lbs
2016-17 salary: $1,015,696
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Willie Reed averaged just under 11 minutes per game in his first NBA season with the Brooklyn Nets last year. Despite the low-minute count, he still managed to be productive, averaging 4.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting over 57 percent from the field. What’s more impressive is that he finished the season with a well-above-average Player Efficiency Rating of 19.22.
Reed will battle for a starting role at power forward this season, but so far, head coach Erik Spoelstra likes what he sees in the big man:
“He has a great motor. I really like the pace of play that he brings out there,” Spoelstra told the Miami Herald during training camp. “He’s aggressive on the offensive glass. He’s an aggressive pick-and-roll player, brings a great energy out there on the court. He’s vocal. We’ve had success with bigs like that.”
His toughness, energy and grit have already drawn comparisons to his teammate Udonis Haslem, which is a good sign. Right now, Reed must continue honing his game and, in particular, learn to become a better free-throw shooter.
Next: Dion Waiters
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