NBA rumors: Will Pistons try to steal Austin Reaves from Lakers? Marc Stein teases trade additions instead

Austin Reaves’ phone will probably get busy in the next few days now that the Los Angeles Lakers and the rest of the teams are allowed to start negotiations with their respective free agents.

Reaves has said he will test the market. He is expected to attract plenty of suitors. He was limited to a career-low 51 games this season due to a calf injury and a hamstring injury. Still, he remains a hot commodity because of his two-way talent.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons could make a run at the 28-year-old guard. Stein noted that “neither is seen as a certainty yet.”

“There have been recent rumbles, in fact, about the Nets potentially looking at shorter deals if they do decide to be aggressive in free agency,” wrote Stein on his Substack.

“League sources say that the Pistons, meanwhile, are expected to focus on potential trade additions rather than free-agent targets when it comes to bolstering their shooting so as not to further complicate tricky looming contract extension negotiations with restricted free agent-to-be Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, who will be rookie-scale contract extension eligible from July 6 until the eve of opening night in October.”

The Pistons could surely use Reaves, and pairing him with Cade Cunningham in the backcourt sounds appealing. The team, however, is apparently prioritizing continuity with its young players.

Duren will be eager to prove himself after a forgettable run in the playoffs, while Thompson is expected to continue his ascent as one of the NBA’s elite defenders.

Among those being linked to Detroit in trade rumors are Lauri Markkanen, Trey Murphy III, and Michael Porter Jr.

The Lakers, for their part, are presumably keen on re-signing Reaves, with Luka Doncic categorically stating that he wants to keep playing with his close friend.

Stein noted that there is “inherent skepticism” in the league that Reaves would be pried away from the Lakers.

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