Pistons predicted to trade for Lakers' $180M beloved combo guard to pair with Cade Cunningham originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Pistons are trying to set themselves up for the future by developing their young talent as best they can. Last season, that young core performed well, helping Detroit finish as the best team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season.
This summer, the Pistons focused on locking up some of their top players. They extended Ausar Thompson's contract before training camp, and Detroit was also able to strike a deal with Jalen Duren.
“All-NBA and All-Star center Jalen Duren has agreed to sign a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract to return to the Detroit Pistons, agent Chafie Fields of THE•TEAM tells ESPN. This ends a prolonged restricted free agency dispute between the two sides,” ESPN’s Shams Charania posted.
Still, the Pistons need at least one more shooter. Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz believes they could trade Ron Holland II and draft capital for Austin Reaves.
“The ideal trade target would be a wing who can create for themselves and others, helping to keep the offense humming when Cunningham needs a break or hits an inevitable shooting slump. This list could include players like Austin Reaves. Detroit has all of its first-round picks moving forward, making a potential blockbuster more likely. Former No. 5 overall pick Ron Holland II could be used as trade bait, as the runway hasn't been opened for him in Detroit to reach his potential,” Swartz said.
If the Pistons land Reaves in a deal, they could have him under contract for the long haul, as he recently agreed to a new deal with Los Angeles.
“Reaves, who originally agreed to a four-year, $185 million extension with a player option on the final season, ended up inking a four-year, $180 million deal, league sources confirmed to ESPN. Reaves' decision, sources told ESPN, will give the Lakers more financial flexibility moving forward,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote.
Detroit just needs another shot creator, and that is exactly what Reaves can bring to the table. He is a player who continues to grow as the seasons go on.
The Pistons are ready to make a deep postseason run, and to do that, they will need another reliable player. A duo of Cade Cunningham and Reaves could be a force to be reckoned with.
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