The Lakers have several questions to answer this summer.
One of those looming matters is whether to retain guard Austin Reaves, who is coming off a campaign in which he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists. He shot 49% from the field.
Reaves is expected to decline his player option for next season but can agree to a deal with the Lakers prior to the start of free agency July 1. If the two can’t reach an agreement, Reaves will test the free agent market.
Austin Reaves’ future with the Lakers remains uncertain as contract negotiations begin. AP
He’s already been linked to a four-year, $179 million offer from the Nets, according to reports on Reaves last week. Now, Sam Amick of The Athletic revealed another Eastern Conference team is reportedly in pursuit of the 28-year-old.
The Pistons, a team that fell short in the Eastern Conference semifinals, is hoping to find a playmaker and shooter this offseason.
Reaves fits the bill.
“Detroit, which is believed to be among the suitors for Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves if he makes it to unrestricted free agency, is also said to be interested in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Isaiah Joe,” Amick writes.
The likelihood of Reaves landing in Detroit depends on how negotiations unfold with the Lakers in the coming weeks. It remains unclear how much the Lakers are willing to offer the guard, especially given the team’s clear need for a premier center this summer.
Additionally, the Lakers will have to resolve the LeBron James situation. The next few months will be telling for general manager Rob Pelinka, who faces immense pressure to transform the squad into title contenders.
In terms of Reaves, his status on the free agent market will be made clear by the start of next month.
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