The Detroit Pistons top the Eastern Conference standings, but their biggest question mark to playoff success is their shooting. They are 28th in 3-point percentage and may let Tobias Harris walk in free agency to target Rui Hachimura. The current Lakers forward is shooting 43.4 percent from 3-point range and has been over 41 percent on his long-range attempts for three straight years.
Los Angeles gave up three second-round draft picks to trade for Hachimura in 2023, but have let him play out his current contract. The Lakers are prioritizing cap space this summer. They will allow Rui test free agency, and there should be no shortage of interest in a 6’8 lights out shooter that just drew high praise from his head coach.
The Pistons have a perennial MVP candidate in Cade Cunningham. He is an elite creator like Luka Doncic, and Hachimura is comfortable playing his role as a spot-up shooter. This could be Detroit’s shot to add an elite floor spacer and get Cade the piece he needs to boost the Pistons title odds.
Pistons could target Rui Hachimura in free agency this offseason
Detroit has Harris, Kevin Huerter, and Javonte Green set to become unrestricted free agents this summer. Huerter has seized his opportunity with Cade out, but his lack of shooting makes the Pistons’ biggest problem worse. Don’t be surprised to see all three players walk. Detroit will have to pay Jalen Duren in restricted free agency and should use their remaining room to upgrade their shooting.
Duren gives the Pistons a second star. They need role players around their best players to take the next step. Finding size and shooting is a must.
Hachimura will likely get a contract in the non-taxpayer mid-level exception range this offseason. He will have his choice among multiple teams at varying price points. The Lakers haven’t re-signed him, which opens the door for Rui to leave Hollywood. The Pistons are an elite team and can pitch him on joining Cade to make Detroit a serious title threat.
Hachimura is averaging 11.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game for the Lakers this season. He doesn’t offer the same playmaking as Tobias Harris, but Rui is an elite shooter. The Pistons would likely make that tradeoff, especially if it meant saving a few million dollars that could go toward paying Duren a massive contract.
The Pistons are following the Thunder’s blueprint. This is OKC’s 2024 season, where they got the top seed in the West and were bounced in the second round of the playoffs. The roster upgrades must come this summer. Rui Hachimura could be the Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein add.  Don’t be surprised to see Detroit make their Alex Caruso trade, too. It is all about filling gaps to make them a serious title threat.
The Detroit Pistons are building something special and will be looking to improve their roster in the offseason. They could target Rui Hachimura to replace Tobias Harris. It would improve the Pistons’ questionable shooting and could save money. Hachimura will be available. Don’t be surprised to see Detroit swoop in and try to steal him from the Lakers.