The Detroit Pistons spent the offseason trying to keep their young core intact while also chasing bigger names, and Austin Reaves was one of the players they had their eyes on.
Detroit did get important business done. Ausar Thompson officially signed his new five-year, $155 million extension, giving the Pistons another key piece alongside Cade Cunningham.
Brett Siegel posted: “In other Pistons news, Ausar Thompson officially put pen to paper on his new 5yr/$155M contract extension. The Pistons now have Cunningham and Thompson officially on the books long-term, with Thompson's deal coming in around 15% of the cap," NBA insider Brett Siegel posted.
The team also worked through a long contract situation with Jalen Duren, eventually bringing him back after months of negotiations. But the Pistons were not limiting themselves to internal matters. According to ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill, they checked on trades for Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant, and they were also ready to make a strong run at Reaves if he had reached the market.
“The Pistons inquired about trading for Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant this offseason, according to league sources, and were positioned to offer Austin Reaves a big free agent contract if the Los Angeles Lakers opened the door. None of that materialized,” ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill wrote.
That opening never came. The Lakers kept Reaves before he could test free agency, signing him to a deal that came in below the original number that had been reported.
Dave McMenamin reported: “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.
For Detroit, Reaves would have been an especially intriguing fit next to Cunningham. Instead, the Pistons came away with the same clear message they sent all summer: they’re willing to swing big. And that approach figures to keep showing up at the trade deadline and again next offseason.
In Other News...
Pistons May Have Found The Identity That Keeps This Team Rising
The Pistons spent the summer reinforcing the part of the roster that already gave them a clear edge, bringing in John Collins in free agency and keeping Jalen Duren in the fold. On paper, the fit is pretty straightforward: Collins at power forward, Duren at center, with both expected to help Detroit stay physical around the rim and give the offense extra chances on the glass.
Rebounding has already been a calling card for this team, and the idea here is less about starting over than doubling down on what works. If Collins and Duren can form the kind of frontcourt pairing Detroit envisioned, the Pistons may not just preserve that strength from last season, but turn it into one of the identity pieces that keeps the group moving up the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Paul Reed Faces A Big Pistons Test Isaiah Stewart Never Did
The Pistons are asking Paul Reed to step into a bigger lane after moving on from Isaiah Stewart, and the appeal is easy to see. Reed has already shown he can make an impact on the defensive end with steals and blocks, while also giving Detroit more offensive versatility than Stewart typically did. For a team that values energy and versatility in its frontcourt, that makes Reed a compelling fit on paper.
What remains to be seen is whether the bigger workload can hold up once the minutes start stacking up. Reeds expanded role will be a real test of consistency, because the Pistons need more than flashes from him - they need steady production and reliable contributions over time. If he can sustain what he has shown, Detroits move away from Stewart could look a lot more worthwhile. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Rotation Battle Is Getting Real Around Cade Cunningham
The early preseason minutes have already started to sort out some of the questions around Detroits second unit, and that is showing up in a few different ways. Ebuka Okorie has made a strong impression with his playmaking and scoring touch, capped by a game-winning layup against the Suns, while Paul Reed has spent time in the starting center spot and has given the Pistons steady production on the glass and around the rim.
Isaiah Joe has been the other name worth watching, even if the shot has not fallen in his first two games with Detroit. His track record suggests the shooting will come around, which is part of what makes this stretch interesting as the Pistons try to settle roles around Cade Cunningham. With preseason still leaving room for movement, these early looks may end up mattering more than they usually do. [Read more 🡒]