Jalen Duren To Meet With Lakers Again On Wednesday

With restricted free agent Jalen Duren and the Pistons reportedly far apart in their contract negotiations, the All-NBA big man has begun looking elsewhere and has found interested suitors. He had a “productive” meeting with the Lakers on Tuesday and will meet with them again on Wednesday morning, Sam Amick reports for The Athletic.

The Lakers, who have been searching for a long-term answer at center to start alongside their star backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, expressed that they view Duren as a maximum-salary player, per Amick, a message sure to appeal to him given his apparent displeasure with Detroit’s contract offer.

Duren also met with the Kings and received similar assurances. While Amick makes no mention of a follow-up meeting, Sacramento appears committed to pursuing a sign-and-trade with the Pistons to try to pair Duren with rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr.

The fit with the Lakers is clear. Duren thrived as a rim-rolling lob threat playing off the passing ability of Cade Cunningham this year, and Doncic tends to be at his best with a pick-and-roll partner he can throw lobs to. Reaves is another strong play-maker, and the team could use an infusion of physicality and athleticism on the inside.

The Lakers will also have significant cap flexibility after LeBron James informed them he’ll play elsewhere next season.

Neither the Lakers nor the Kings is assured of landing Duren though, even if he pursues a deal with one of them, given that his leverage as a restricted free agent is somewhat limited. The Pistons have indicated that they have no plans to participate in a sign-and-trade and would instead match any offer sheet Duren signs.

While it’s possible that’s a negotiating tactic, it may be difficult for the Lakers to construct an offer sheet that would make Detroit balk, and the Kings don’t have the cap room to land him without a sign-and-trade deal. It’s unclear if either team will be able to put together a trade offer strong enough to convince the Pistons to part ways with their All-NBA center.

The Pistons don’t appear enthused at the prospect of taking back Domantas Sabonis from the Kings, Amick notes, and the Lakers’ top trade chips are draft picks, which may not appeal to a Detroit team coming off a 60-win team and looking to contend sooner rather than later.

The Lakers are also eyeing another restricted free agent big man, Walker Kessler of the Jazz, as they attempt to land the sort of “A-list center” Doncic has sought.