With how well Austin Reaves has started the year for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Detroit Pistons should already be plotting to try to steal him next summer. They could have some cap space to work with if they play their cards right, and Reaves will be an unrestricted free agent.
Pairing Reaves in the backcourt with Cade Cunningham could lead to some questions on the defensive end, but teams have had success with less-than-stellar defensive backcourts before. Just look at the 2024 Dallas Mavericks. They surrounded Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with great defense and made a run to the NBA Finals.
Detroit should be looking ahead to the offseason already.
Why should Pistons steal Austin Reaves?
That’s not to say that this year with be a lost season, but with how much cap space the Pistons could potentially have, they could have an opportunity to add a very big piece to their puzzle.
Tobias Harris’ money comes off the books, Duncan Robinson’s contract is only partially guaranteed past this year, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren will be restricted free agents, and they have some minimum guys on expiring deals, too.
Reaves’ emergence as an elite offensive player has been rapid this season. Through the Lakers’ first five games of the season, in which he’s helped them to a 3-2 record, Reaves has been awesome.
He’s averaging 34.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 10.0 assists while shooting an unconscious 52.5% shooting from the field and 38.5% from deep on 7.8 three-point attempts per game. Reaves is also getting to the line for 11.6 free-throw chances per contest, shooting 89.7%.
Having that level of an offensive player next to Cunningham could do wonders for the Pistons’ offense. Not only would he take a ton of pressure off of Cunningham when the two are on the floor together, but he’d keep the offense afloat when the current Pistons guard needs a rest.
Obviously, the Lakers seem destined to make a huge offer in hopes of keeping Reaves around, but he won’t be restricted in free agency. That means all bets could be off.
If Detroit entered the conversation with a max contract, perhaps Reaves would take the chance to play in a weaker Eastern Conference and play on a deeper roster with better defenders.
Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: The Pistons should be looking to give Reaves a monster offer next summer.