Pistons reportedly wanted Lakers star Austin Reaves, but missed out

A potential Detroit Pistons target in free agency is officially off of the board.

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed high-scoring guard Austin Reaves to a maximum four-year, $185 million contract, according to ESPN. The Pistons reportedly were among the teams prepared to offer a max contract if Reeves entered free agency, for which the negotiation period starts next Tuesday, June 30.

He’s coming off of a career-best season, averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49% overall and 36% from 3. To make a run at him, though, it would’ve required some maneuvering on the Pistons’ end.

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They can clear up to $30 million in cap space by renouncing their rights to unrestricted free agents Tobias Harris, Javonte Green, Kevin Huerter and Malik Beasley to eliminate their cap holds, as well as waiving Duncan Robinson to clear roughly $14 million of his partially-guaranteed $16 million owed next season. They also would have to waive Paul Reed and his non-guaranteed $5.6 million contract, and decline Tolu Smith’s $2.4 million team option.

Because Reaves will make around $41 million in the first year of his deal, that still wouldn’t be enough to sign him. It would’ve taken a sign-and-trade, with the Pistons sending Isaiah Stewart to the Lakers to sweeten the pot and make the math work.

The Pistons still can pursue the cap space path if there’s another free agent they wish to target. But if they remain over the cap, they can instead address their needs for shooting and ball-handling by turning to the trade market. That would allow them to both re-sign Harris, since they have his Early Bird rights and don’t need cap space to retain him, and keep Robinson, the best shooter on the roster.

They will continue scouring the market for offensive upgrades, as they push for a deeper postseason run following a 60-win season and second round exit to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons reportedly wanted Lakers star Austin Reaves, but missed out