Despite finishing with the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have a clear ceiling on their team's postseason potential without addressing the major need for added offensive support around Cade Cunningham. That is where Austin Reaves entered the picture as an intriguing name.
Dan Woike of The Athletic connected the Pistons as an interested suitor for Reaves in free agency in one of his recent insider looks. That created immediate unease around the Los Angeles Lakers' chances of keeping him. Unlike teams such as the Brooklyn Nets or Chicago Bulls, Detroit offers a combination of winning and money that is thought to be desirable for the free agent guard.
To the comfort of the Lakers, Marc Stein stepped in to reveal the Pistons' primary focus lies elsewhere in the coming summer months. Free agency is an avenue to explore, but upgrades are expected to be found through other means.
"League sources say that the Pistons, meanwhile, are expected to focus on potential trade additions rather than free agent targets ... as not to further complicate tricky looming contract extension negotiations with restricted free agent-to-be Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson."
Pistons' trade focus gives Lakers more comfort with Austin Reaves
What Stein is saying lines up well with one of his previous reports that indicated the Pistons having trade interest in Trey Murphy III. One could estimate the New Orleans Pelicans wing is viewed close to a best-case scenario for Detroit when factoring in all the rumors.
Unlike the Pistons, the Lakers will have Reaves as their top priority from the jump. With the exclusive negotiation window having opened for Rob Pelinka and Los Angeles, one would imagine the franchise is already working hard to ensure Luka Doncic has his backcourt partner moving forward.
If the Pistons are not truly going to be the competition for the Lakers that some may have feared, there should be added ease for Los Angeles in believing any flight risk for Reaves is not truly real.
Beyond the Pistons, the only other interested team mentioned in the looming sweepstakes for the 28-year-old who can offer both money and the chance to win — apart from the Lakers — is the Atlanta Hawks. Things in the NBA can change quickly, but if there is only one true threat, a 50-50 coin flip brings healthy odds for Los Angeles.
50-50 may not even truly be an accurate assessment of the odds considering the obvious appeal of remaining in Hollywood for Reaves. It is tough to ever really chalk up anything as a guarantee when it comes to free agency. However, the Lakers should feel great about their circumstances here.
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