The Detroit Pistons have a chance to take advantage of a weakened Eastern Conference this season, and making a blockbuster trade at the beginning of the season might be the right move.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale believes so as well, predicting the Pistons go out and target Los Angeles Lakers superstar Austin Reaves.
MORE: Lakers predicted to cut ties with Austin Reaves, deal him to former blockbuster trade partner
“The Detroit Pistons were at their best last season when they had another reliable ball-handling outlet to play in tandem with and independent of Cade Cunningham. Between Jaden Ivey’s right knee injury and Caris LeVert’s hamstring issue/slow start, the offense has failed to replicate that element…Detroit can construct something around some combination of Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland II and first-round picks. Duren could be on the table as well, though the Lakers would have to be smitten with the idea of bankrolling his next deal,” Favale wrote.
So far this season, averaging 34.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He’s doing this while both his superstar teammates, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, have been dealing with injuries, so he’s really stepped up.
MORE: Bucks monster three-team trade proposal sends Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler to new homes; lands Milwaukee multiple stars and picks
If the Pistons could land Reaves without giving up Jalen Duren, then they would arguably be the best team in the East. However, the Pistons would need to re-sign him to justify giving away their assets, and they might not be able to afford that price tag.
Hopefully, they can, as Reaves is definitely having his breakout season. Combining him with Cunningham in the backcourt would lead to many offensive possibilities, and the Pistons’ first chip since 2004.
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