The Los Angeles Lakers moved one step closer to getting Luka Doncic a top-tier center on Tuesday after a successful meeting with Jalen Duren. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick’s report on the first day of free agency, Los Angeles has secured a second meeting with the Detroit Pistons’ restricted free agent on Wednesday morning.
Amick reported that the Lakers are willing to offer him a max contract, which could be up to $177.4 million over four years.
“Duren was told by the Lakers in the meeting that they view him as a maximum-salary level player, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations,” Amick said.
The Lakers will have to compete with the Sacramento Kings, who, according to Amick, sent Duren a similar message. Duren sought a move out of Detroit after the franchise underwhelmed with its offers.
However, the Pistons have indicated they won’t hesitate to match an offer sheet for the All-Star center. Detroit has also suggested that it won’t cooperate in a sign-and-trade, according to Amick.
“The Lakers and Kings both face a significant challenge when it comes to the Pistons, who have been sending strong signals in recent days that they will either match offer sheets that come their way or refuse to cooperate in sign-and-trades,” Amick said. “More specifically, Detroit has no interest in a sign-and-trade with the Kings that would have sent three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis their way.”
The Lakers have over $50 million in cap space after LeBron James decided to leave them. If Duren were an unrestricted free agent, they would have been able to sign him outright. However, Detroit still holds leverage with Duren as a restricted free agent.
Jalen Duren would be a solid addition if the Lakers can pull it off, but reports of a potential max deal divided Lakers fans online. One fan questioned the Lakers’ pursuit of Walker Kessler, another restricted free agent center:
“How about kessler?”
Another believes the Duren move is “inevitable.”
“Duren in purple and gold feels inevitable,” the fan wrote.
More reactions followed:
Pistons could just be posturing about matching Lakers and other teams’ offer sheets for Jalen Duren
The Detroit Pistons might be using that tactic to fend off interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. The Lakers did that in the 2023 offseason when Austin Reaves hit restricted free agency.
The San Antonio Spurs were interested, but after reports emerged that the Lakers would match any offer sheet, they removed themselves from the running.
At the end of the day, if Duren is motivated to play elsewhere, the Pistons will likely work to complete a trade. The Lakers don’t have player assets, but the Pistons can demand a pick or two and create a traded player exception close to $40 million.
As for the Kings, Detroit could ultimately settle for Domantas Sabonis as the returning piece if that’s where it’s headed. In that case, the Pistons can demand more picks to absorb Sabonis’ contract.
Read more:
- “Hope I made a few proud”: LeBron James Pens Emotional Message To Jeanie Buss’ Tribute Following His Lakers Exit Decision
- Dave Portnoy Jokes About LeBron James’ Massive Lakers Decision
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