With the NBA free agency right around the corner, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to shake up their roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers have already handed Austin Reaves a four-year, $185 million max deal.
But with rumors of LeBron James potentially leaving the team, the Lakers need a third star alongside the duo of Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Los Angeles Lakers are targeting Jalen Duren
Duren had a breakout year with the Detroit Pistons last season, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He also earned his first-ever NBA All-Star appearance.
Despite that, according to ESPN, Duren isn’t expected to return to the Pistons. Instead, the 22-year-old center is expected to engage in a sign-and-trade and the Lakers are viewed as a possible destination for him.
“Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, one of the top restricted free agents this summer, has a pair of meetings with outside teams scheduled for Tuesday, when free agency officially begins. One of the teams is the Los Angeles Lakers,” ESPN reported.
Considering Doncic plays his best with a talented center on the roster, the move makes sense, at least on paper.
Luka Doncic’s thoughts on Jalen Duren revealed
Last season, the Lakers hoped for Doncic to form an elite partnership with Deandre Ayton, but it became clear that the former No. 1 overall pick isn’t the answer to the team’s woes.
Now, with the Lakers being viewed as Duren’s potential destination, it appears that Doncic is 100% in favor of this move.
“League sources say Lakers star Luka Doncic is known to be a fan of Duren’s game, which is a monumental factor for any player who’s trying to be welcomed into Crypto.com Arena these days,” The Athletic reported.
With Doncic now the cornerstone star of the Lakers, this is good news if Duren is seriously considering a move to the Western Conference side.
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