The Los Angeles Lakers are no doubt facing significant pressure this summer to improve. With up to $50 million in cap space, they have their chance to retool their roster around Luka Doncic.
At the moment, it seems that they will likely re-sign Austin Reeves and potentially let superstar LeBron James leave in free agency. However, they may also make a run at a restricted free agent.
Detroit Pistons All-Star Jalen Duren had a rough playoffs despite having made All-NBA this season. With him set to enter restricted free agency this summer, his value is very much up in the air. So much so that CBS Sports' Sam Quinn believes that the Lakers should pursue him.
If I'm the Lakers and there seems to be a real disconnect between what Duren wants and what the Pistons will pay him, I'm preparing to jump in with an offer sheet or sign-and-trade offer.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) May 30, 2026
22-year-old All-NBA centers just don't become available. He's getting paid. https://t.co/zKJTELA91c
The Lakers should attempt to pry Jalen Duren from the Detroit Pistons
Although the Pistons have the right of first refusal, the Lakers could offer Duren a 4-year, $177 million deal. That would pay him $44.2 million on average.
It would be a clear overpay considering how he performed in the playoffs. Nevertheless, teams don't normally land All-Star restricted free agents for cheap. In fact, virtually zero all-star, all-NBA-level players ever hit restricted free agency, making Duren a rarity.
Sure, he has some flaws, but he seems like a perfect fit next to Doncic. Therefore, he could thrive playing with the Lakers.
Trading for Jalen Duren would be a worthwhile gamble for the Lakers
Committing that much to a starting center is risky to say the least. Nevertheless, Duren is just 23 years old and is coming off a season in which he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Yes, he choked in the playoffs, but it doesn't discount what he did over 70 games in the regular season. If he can play at or above that regular season level in L.A., he would be worth throwing an offer sheet at.
Remember, the biggest advantage of pursuing Duren in restricted free agency is that it only costs them cap space. Not players or picks.
If the Pistons balk at matching a $177 million offer, Los Angeles will have added an All-NBA center with just cap space. No blockbuster trade, no using first-round picks, only cap space.
A core of Doncic, Reaves, and Duren might not be a championship core, but the Lakers could tweak around it until it is.
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