The Lakers are moving fast to shore up their frontcourt. Los Angeles has a call scheduled with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren for Monday, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, as the team looks to land a young anchor in the middle.
Duren, 22, is seeking a change of scenery after feeling underwhelmed by the Pistons’ contract offer, sources told The Athletic. He’s now working through sign-and-trade scenarios, with the Sacramento Kings also in the mix. Sacramento could dangle Domantas Sabonis as trade bait to Detroit, but the Lakers aren’t backing off.
Why Duren Makes Sense for LA
The Lakers have been hunting for a long-term center since last season. Deandre Ayton picked up his player option to stay, but Jaxson Hayes might test free agency. That leaves room for a guy like Duren, who just put up career highs of 19 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 65 percent from the field, fourth best in the league.
He made his first All-Star team this year and grabbed a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. His numbers dipped in the playoffs after Detroit got bounced in the second round, but the raw production is there.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the Lakers front office has heard directly from Luka Doncic, who wants to play alongside an “A-list center.” Duren fits that description. The Lakers have been watching his situation since the Pistons’ postseason exit.
The Kings remain a threat. They can offer Detroit a proven All-Star in Sabonis, which might be more appealing than whatever package the Lakers could put together. But LA has cap flexibility and trade assets, and they’ve shown they’re willing to use them.
For a Lakers team that needs size, rebounding and a vertical threat on offense, Duren checks every box. He’s young enough to grow with Doncic and Anthony Davis, assuming Davis stays healthy. That’s a big if, but the upside is clear.
The call is set. Now it’s about whether LA can sell Duren on a future in purple and gold before the Kings or another team swoops in.
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