The Los Angeles Lakers are little doubt dealing with vital stress this summer time to enhance. With as much as $50 million in cap house, they’ve their probability to retool their roster round Luka Doncic.
For the time being, evidently they are going to possible re-sign Austin Reeves and probably let famous person LeBron James depart in free company. Nevertheless, they could additionally make a run at a restricted free agent.
Detroit Pistons All-Star Jalen Duren had a tough playoffs regardless of having made All-NBA this season. With him set to enter restricted free company this summer time, his worth may be very a lot up within the air. A lot in order that CBS Sports activities’ Sam Quinn believes that the Lakers ought to pursue him.
If I am the Lakers and there appears to be an actual disconnect between what Duren needs and what the Pistons pays him, I am making ready to leap in with a proposal sheet or sign-and-trade provide.
22-year-old All-NBA facilities simply do not develop into obtainable. He is getting paid. https://t.co/zKJTELA91c
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) Might 30, 2026
The Lakers ought to try to pry Jalen Duren from the Detroit Pistons
Though the Pistons have the precise of first refusal, the Lakers might provide Duren a 4-year, $177 million deal. That might pay him $44.2 million on common.
It might be a transparent overpay contemplating how he carried out within the playoffs. However, groups do not usually land All-Star restricted free brokers for reasonable. In actual fact, nearly zero all-star, all-NBA-level gamers ever hit restricted free company, making Duren a rarity.
Positive, he has some flaws, however he looks like an ideal match subsequent to Doncic. Due to this fact, he might thrive enjoying with the Lakers.
Buying and selling for Jalen Duren could be a worthwhile gamble for the Lakers
Committing that a lot to a beginning heart is dangerous to say the least. However, Duren is simply 23 years previous and is coming off a season by which he averaged 19.5 factors and 10.5 rebounds.
Sure, he choked within the playoffs, however it would not low cost what he did over 70 video games within the common season. If he can play at or above that common season stage in L.A., he could be value throwing a proposal sheet at.
Keep in mind, the most important benefit of pursuing Duren in restricted free company is that it solely prices them cap house. Not gamers or picks.
If the Pistons balk at matching a $177 million provide, Los Angeles could have added an All-NBA heart with simply cap house. No blockbuster commerce, no utilizing first-round picks, solely cap house.
A core of Doncic, Reaves, and Duren won’t be a championship core, however the Lakers might tweak round it till it’s.
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