On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Since the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be on the hunt for a big man this summer, one Lakers-centric writer suggests that the Detroit Pistons might have the perfect prospect.
Isaiah Stewart might’ve been a popular trade candidate coming out of Detroit last summer, but this time around, Jalen Duren has a small spotlight on him.
“The Lakers desire an athletic center, preferably on the younger side, who can play both ways,” writes LakeShowLife’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk. “Duren would certainly provide them with that.”
Just a few months ago, the Lakers famously traded for a young veteran center ahead of the 2025 deadline before shockingly pulling the rug on the deal based on Mark Williams’ physical. Once the deal was voided, it was evident that LA would go on the hunt for a different frontcourt player.
As for the Pistons, they seem set at the center position for now, but a recent report suggested Detroit was eyeing two frontcourt players, who could hit the free agency market this summer. Naz Reid and Myles Turner would certainly draw a lot of suitors, and Marc Stein reported the Pistons are expected to show interest.
However, there are some major obstacles in the way. The Timberwolves could get Reid back if the veteran simply picked up his player option. If he doesn’t, Minnesota will likely make a competitive long-term offer in an attempt to retain him.
As for Myles Turner, he’s expected to be a top free agent on the market this summer, but the assumption is that he’ll stay put in Indiana. In the event that one or both of them become available, the Pistons would have a hard time finding a way to acquire one of them while executing other moves they had planned.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that the Pistons are looking for more versatility in the frontcourt. As productive and efficient as Duren has been on offense, 82 percent of his shots came at the rim this year. The 21-year-old hasn’t shown a lot of growth in his range.
Still, the Pistons found the young veteran to be a major contributor throughout their first playoff campaign since 2019. There would be no reason for the Pistons to act desperate when it comes to acquiring a frontcourt player.
The Lakers can certainly reach out and see if it’s possible to pick up Duren before the Pistons have to bring out the checkbook to offer him a new deal, but there hasn’t been any indication they would be willing to move on.
More Pistons on SI
More must-reads:
- Troubling update emerges about Joel Embiid’s health
- Cavaliers' Darius Garland feels 'great' following toe surgery
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
1 final move Los Angeles Lakers must make to complete 2025 NBA offseason
This offseason has been a rather eventful one for the Los Angeles Lakers. And they may not be done making moves yet. Now that they’ve received extra security for their future after Luka Doncic decided to sign a three-year, $165 million extension to stay until at least the 2027-28 season, they could very well be more aggressive when it comes to making moves — especially with LeBron James putting so much pressure on the team to turn the team into a surefire championship contender. At the very least, the Lakers can rest a bit easier knowing that they filled their biggest need heading into the offseason. They badly needed a new starting center after finishing the 2024-25 campaign with the overmatched Jaxson Hayes in the starting lineup, and they got Deandre Ayton at such a bargain contract that it’s difficult to rag them for bringing him in — punctuality and attitude concerns notwithstanding. And then the Lakers also brought Marcus Smart in from the buyout market, although they did lose Jordan Goodwin, a bundle of energy and a hustle guy off the bench, in the process. Smart has been ridiculously injury-prone over the past few years, but he did win the Defensive Player of the Year award just three years ago — so he’s a worthwhile, if risky, flier. As presently, constructed, however, the Lakers may not have enough to win a title. Doncic and James are two of the greatest postseason performers of all-time, but the supporting cast needs work — especially when they lost Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency. In particular, the Lakers need an upgrade at the wing — the final move they must pull off to complete their offseason this year. Should the Lakers bring Andrew Wiggins in? As things stand, the Lakers will presumably be starting Rui Hachimura alongside Doncic, James, Ayton, and Austin Reaves. That looks like a dangerous starting lineup on paper. However, that lineup distinctly lacks a lockdown defender who will take on the best perimeter scorer on the opposing team. Doncic and Reaves are not the sturdiest defensive duo to begin with; the former’s effort comes and goes, and the latter’s size makes him a target for opposing teams to exploit in pick-and-roll situations. James can only do so much now that he’s set to turn 41 years of age in December. Ayton’s motor issues are well-documented. The Lakers’ defense was top-notch last season even after bringing Doncic in thanks in large part to the defensive scheme that head coach JJ Redick deployed. Redick would want to load up the strong side, relying on the Lakers’ fleet-footed perimeter defenders, such as Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Finney-Smith, to cover the ground on the weak side when the opposing offense starts to ping the ball around. Now that the Lakers have more size on the interior, they don’t have to play as frenetic of a defensive scheme. However, the playoffs have shown that you can only have so many weak links on defense if the goal is to win the Larry O’Brien trophy. No, Hachimura is not exactly a defensive weak link. But he’s not exactly the lockdown wing defender that’s going to slow down the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Anthony Edwards. The Lakers will have to upgrade this position — especially if their mind is set on keeping Reaves alongside Doncic and James. The Lakers’ reported interest in Andrew Wiggins should not come as a surprise to anyone. Wiggins has the size of a prototypical and ideal wing in the NBA, and he has a track record of elevating his game in the playoffs. In 2022, Wiggins became his best self, especially on defense, hounding Doncic and Jayson Tatum en route to winning the title with the Golden State Warriors. Since the Lakers believe that they can turn back the clock to 2022 anyway with the addition of Smart, why not make another gamble in the form of Wiggins? Alas, the Miami Heat have reportedly been very difficult to negotiate with, and as such, the Lakers appear to be setting their sights elsewhere. But Wiggins might be the attainable piece at the end of the day, as 3-and-D wings are at a premium in today’s NBA. Rumor has it that the Lakers are saving their resources for the 2027 offseason, when the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell, among others, could hit the open market. But time is of the essence for this Lakers team. If the Heat lower their asking price for Wiggins, then the Lakers should be all over the former champion and All-Star starter.
Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
The Miami Marlins achieved a franchise first on Sunday. In doing so, they carved out an interesting place in MLB history. With a 7-3 victory over the Yankees, the Marlins swept New York for the first time in a series of three or more games. In doing so, the Marlins became the only team to have a winning record, including the postseason, against the Yankees. The Yankees now have a 22-21 record against the Marlins in the regular season. However, the Marlins won the 2003 World Series against the Yankees in six games, giving the Fish a 25-24 record all-time. The Marlins' victory on Sunday meant more than a unique place in baseball history. That victory evened the Marlins' record at 55-55, the first time they have been at .500 or better since April 15 (8-8). The Marlins are 30-14 in their last 44 games, tying the 2003 championship team for the best stretch (last done from June 18-Aug. 9) in franchise history. The Marlins defied expectations at the trade deadline, holding on to pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. Their only trade involved sending outfielder Jesus Sanchez to Houston, acquiring pitcher Ryan Gusto and a pair of prospects. Expectations were that the Marlins were simply waiting for the offseason to trade those pitchers, as there may be a larger market. Instead, the generally inexperienced Marlins roster is growing and improving by the day. They have clawed back from a 24-40 start to the season to pull themselves into the NL wild-card conversation. Although a lot would need to go right for the Marlins to reach the playoffs this season, they could be a dangerous team over the rest of the season and beyond. The Yankees found that out the hard way.
25-time Grammy winner's sports agency blasts Jerry Jones for 'comical' comment
The Dallas Cowboys may have 99 problems, and the way owner Jerry Jones handles contract negotiations could be considered a big one. Jones spoke with the media Saturday regarding Micah Parsons' contract situation. The EDGE, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has requested a trade. The 82-year-old owner clarified the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons. While discussing negotiations, Jones took an unprovoked jab at former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and his agent, rapper Jay-Z. "When we have a problem within the team and a player, I don't ever find the agent. He's nowhere to be found," Jones said. "...Jay-Z and I negotiated [Bryant's contract in 2015], spent hours. He said, 'Anybody in my organization is on time.' He said, 'My office used to be on the street corner, and I've always been early. So, they will be on time.' And I said, 'Where do I sign? But I'm going to call you.' Finally, he quit taking my call." The 25-time Grammy winner's sports agency, Roc Nation, took issue with Jones' comment. In a statement released on X Sunday, it denied his claim, calling it "comical." This is yet another example of Jones prioritizing attention when he should be focused on extending two-time first-team All-Pro Parsons. The Cowboys often delay deals for their stars. The team signed Bryant to a five-year, $70M deal in July 2015, just before the deadline to extend players with a franchise tag. Last season, Dallas signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240M contract ahead of its season opener against the Cleveland Browns. The team's procrastination often leaves it paying even more for star players and wastes valuable time. Parsons is still with the team at training camp in Oxnard, Calif., but isn't participating. He likely wants a contract that's similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (three years, $123M). The pass-rusher is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Jones' methods are one reason the Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since the 1995 season. Jay-Z should mention that if he wants to write a single that includes a lyric about the owner.
Tiger Woods Sends Strong Message to Retiring CBS Broadcaster on Sunday
At Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, Sunday’s final round of the 2025 Wyndham Championship closed out the PGA Tour’s regular season. It also marked the end of an era for one of golf’s most revered broadcasters. For the last time, Ian Baker-Finch manned the hole-announcing microphone for CBS Sports, capping 30 years in the booth following a playing career that peaked with his victory at the 1991 Open Championship. Before the day was over, Tiger Woods took to X to salute "Finchy." "Congrats Finchy for 30 incredible years behind the microphone. You brought insight into things that the viewing audience could understand and relate to. From all of us—thanks for the memories." The message joined tributes from Jack Nicklaus, Jason Day, Adam Scott and others, underscoring Baker-Finch’s standing among champions past and present. Ian Baker-Finch: From Major Champion to Broadcast Mainstay Baker-Finch turned pro in 1979, winning 17 professional tournaments worldwide. His lone major title came at Royal Birkdale in 1991, where he secured the Open Championship by five strokes. After retiring in the mid-1990s, Baker-Finch transitioned smoothly into broadcasting. He cut his teeth as an analyst on Australian television before joining ESPN and ABC in 1998. In 2007, he became CBS Sports’ dedicated hole announcer, a role he held through 2025, calling golf’s defining moments with a blend of technical acumen and warm delivery. Over 19 seasons with CBS, he covered five Masters and contributed to countless PGA Tour telecasts. Throughout Woods’ five green-jacket haul (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019), Baker-Finch was a trusted on-course voice that helped demystify championship golf for television audiences. As a player, Baker-Finch remains one of only seven Australian men to win a major championship and is one of a select few to dominate links golf on British soil. As a broadcaster, Baker-Finch’s voice guided generations of fans through golf’s signature moments, shaping how millions understand the game’s subtleties. When the G.O.A.T. of professional golf uses his platform to honor your contribution to the sport, it signals a broadcast career worth remembering.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
