Lakers catch big break with two major free-agency targets

The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their offseason by getting one of their most crucial deals done.

They gave Austin Reaves a new, multi-year, more lucrative deal to keep him in Southern California for the long run.

Now, it's all about giving Luka Doncic the A-list big man he asked for: a rim-running threat who can also dominate both sides of the glass.

Notably, the basketball gods might be on the Lakers' side, as Mitchell Robinson and Jalen Duren will most likely switch sides this summer.

Lakers might get a clear path to their next big man 

According to New York Knicks insider Stefan Bondy, team owner James Dolan is unwilling to go into the second apron, thus making it extremely likely that they won't be able to keep Robinson:

"Heard it’s unlikely Mitchell Robinson will be back with Knicks next season," Bondy shared on X. "He’s longest tenured Knick but also an unrestricted free agent. Owner James Dolan said he’s unwilling to pay into second apron so running it back with bench is not feasible."

Also, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Detroit Pistons' offer for Jalen Duren has been far apart from what his camp expected:

"All-NBA forward Jalen Duren was underwhelmed by the Detroit Pistons’ initial offer in restricted free agency and is planning to explore sign-and-trade scenarios when they are permitted on Tuesday," Amick wrote. 

Duren is coming off his best season of his career, and while he hurt his value with a terrible postseason, he's a much more offensive factor than Robinson, who was played off the court in the NBA Finals when he couldn't knock down his free throws.

Robinson, however, is the far superior option in terms of defense and rim protection, though his offensive flaws might kept him off the hardwood in the clutch.

Whatever the case, the Lakers will most likely have two additional options to fill their void in the middle, and Doncic might get the type of sidekick he's been craving since he arrived in Los Angeles.