Latest Austin Reaves Rumors Reveal New Threat to Lakers amid Nets, Free-Agency Contract Buzz

The Detroit Pistons are expected to be a suitor for Los Angeles Lakers guard and potential unrestricted free agent Austin Reaves, per Sam Amick of The Athletic.

"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 wrote.

"Reaves, who is expected to decline his player option for next season, can come to terms with the Lakers before free agency begins on July 1."

The Brooklyn Nets are also expected to have interest in Reaves should he become a free agent, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, who cited multiple league sources on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Reaves posted 23.3 points on 49.0 percent shooting, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds. Unfortunately, he was held to 51 games in large part due to a strained left calf and a Grade 2 left oblique strain, the latter of which forced him out for part of the Lakers' postseason run.

The undrafted Reaves has steadily improved over his five NBA seasons, and now he's set to cash in.

Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported on Spectrum Sportsnet Live earlier in June that Reaves is "wants the max."

"He stands to make five years, $241 million if they offer him that deal. Or if he goes to a team like the Chicago Bulls, or a team like Brooklyn, he can get four years, $178 million. Those teams will kind of lurk around.

"But based on what I understand, what I keep hearing: Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I'm not so sure about that. Maybe he does, but maybe his reps don't want that."

It's a fascinating situation, to say the least. McMenamin provided more insight and said Reaves' "contract decision will not come down solely to a dollar figure." He also noted how badly Reaves wants to stay in town.

"Sources familiar with Reaves' thinking told ESPN throughout the season that Reaves' contract decision will not come down solely to a dollar figure. There will be various factors, including Reaves' repeated stance that he would like to play his entire career with the Lakers."

NBA reporter Marc Stein stated on June 14 that the belief is the Lakers are clear frontrunners.

"The Lakers are widely expected to re-sign Reaves, whose fondness for Lakerland as well as his blossoming backcourt partnership alongside Luka Dončić are regarded as strong lures that suggest the sides will ultimately come to terms on a new pact.

"Yet it is unclear what sort of external interest Reaves will generate after his strong production over the past two seasons... at least partly due to the inherent skepticism that stems from trying to woo him away from the Lakers. Brooklyn and Detroit have been mentioned as potential Reaves suitors, but neither is seen as a certainty yet."

The Nets and Pistons would be interesting landing spots.

Reaves would be the clear top option and star in Brooklyn, but the Nets just finished off a 20-62 season and look years away from seriously contending in the Eastern Conference right now.

Detroit, on the other hand, just went 60-22 and finished first in the Eastern Conference before the Cleveland Cavaliers upset them in the East semifinals. The Pistons could use more scoring help around Cade Cunningham, and Reaves would emerge as the clear top-two option in town. Reaves would also stay remain in playoff contention in Detroit as he's been in L.A.

Ultimately, Reaves should have his options. Right now, the arrow appears pointing back toward the Lakers, but the Nets and Pistons still lurk as well.