Lakers have a massive offer for Jalen Duren

The Los Angeles Lakers are building their team around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

As such, they're prioritizing using the money they've now received from LeBron James' departure to find an All-Star-caliber center. As such, it's not much of a surprise to see them show a strong interest in Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, this year's top restricted free agent.

According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, the Lakers plan to offer him a maximum contract.

The Lakers want to give Jalen Duren a max deal

"Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren had a productive meeting with the Lakers on Tuesday and is scheduled to meet with them again on Wednesday morning," wrote Amick. "Duren was told by the Lakers in the meeting that they view him as a maximum-salary level player."

Duren is eligible to sign a five-year contract worth up to $287.1 million from the Pistons, or a four-year, $177.4 million contract elsewhere. The Sacramento Kings are also reportedly keeping tabs on his situation, and they might try to acquire him to dump Domantas Sabonis. Per Amick, however, the Pistons have no interest in completing a sign-and-trade involving Duren.

The Pistons didn't offer Duren a max deal, but they retain the right to match any offer he receives from another team. Whether they will be willing to give him as much as the Lakers are offering remains to be seen, especially after his disappointing playoff performances. 

The Lakers, however, want to give Doncic the supporting cast he needs, and Duren's rim-running and high-flying skills would be tailor-made to play with the Slovenian star.