The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be busy this summer in free agency and the trade market to build a new roster that fits around franchise star Luka Doncic, and previously, Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons was one name they had their eyes on.
The Lakers have been linked to restricted free agency for a while, as he was reportedly Doncic’s top target for the team to go after this summer, but as time goes on, the idea of him winding up in Los Angeles feels less and less likely.
While Duren’s historic drop-off in performance in the playoffs for the Pistons could have meant good news for the Lakers trying to sign him this summer, according to a new report, it doesn’t matter how bad he’s playing, as it looks like the young center is staying in Detroit.
Lakers Get Bad News On Jalen Duren Free Agency
GettyJalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after he dunks in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Little Caesars Arena on November 17, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
Duren could make anywhere from $230 to nearly $300 million in free agency this offseason by the Pistons, on the higher end if he’s named to an All-NBA team, and by itself, that asking price would be tough for the Lakers to match.
Still, as is the case with most Lakers’ free agency rumors, they remained in the hunt for Duren up until very recently. However, according to one NBA executive speaking to Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps of ESPN, despite his drop in play, the Pistons will likely resign Duren, even if it could ‘derail (their) entire roster.’
“He’s not a max player, but they’re probably going to have to give him the max,” an East executive said. “Because now [cap space] teams like Chicago or Brooklyn might see him as someone they could get with a max offer sheet and Detroit will have to match. With the new apron rules, it might come back to bite [the Pistons], and it’s just another example of how the CBA crushes team building.”
That is bad news for the Lakers, who were expected to be free agent hunting for a player like Duren this offseason. Despite his drop in play, Los Angeles could have still offered him a sizable contract in free agency, but now, that doesn’t look like it will happen, regardless of how good the idea of him playing next to Doncic looks on paper.
“The idea of the Lakers throwing that type of offer sheet at Duren is becoming increasingly unattractive,” Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote for LakeShowLife.com. “A sign-and-trade comes with sizable questions of whether Los Angeles would be willing to give up anything that Detroit would actually entertain. Deandre Ayton‘s replacement may have to come from somewhere else.”
In 12 playoff games for the Pistons, Duren is averaging just 10.1 points and 8.3 rebounds on 50% shooting in just over 30 minutes per night, which is a drop-off from the 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds he averaged in the regular season.
Can L.A. Sign Jalen Duren This Offseason?
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 26: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball against Amari Williams #77 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at the TD Garden on November 26, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Lakers landing Duren was always a long shot, and despite his drop in play, it still looks like they are on the outside looking in on getting him to somehow sign in Los Angeles for less money than Detroit could offer.
However, according to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, Duren was one of Doncic’s top free agent targets.
“They just trade for Luka, they have the meeting in Rob’s office with ‘Which centers do you want to play with?’ I’ve already reported that several of the centers on the list were Walker Kessler (and) Jalen Duren. I believe Nic Claxton was also on that list,” Buha said back in January.
Writing for Bleacher Report earlier in the season, Zach Buckley believed that while it would be tough for the Lakers to sign the young big man as a free agent this summer, he still might be worth the money.
“The Lakers haven’t found the right center to pair with Luka Dončić just yet, but the league’s scoring leader previously identified Duren as an ideal fit,” Buckley wrote. “It would cost a fortune for L.A. to get this done, but if the potential prize is making life easier on (and more productive with) its best player, then that’s probably a price worth paying.”
But now, chances of the Lakers signing Duren feel smaller than ever. If his drop in performance wasn’t enough, the report from ESPN, as well as Bobby Marks’ recent comments, can all but shut the door on the Pistons’ center being stolen by Los Angeles in free agency.
“You’re not getting Jalen Duren,” Marks said when speaking about the Lakers’ offseason plans. “You’re probably not even getting Walker Kessler unless you are going to plop down a max offer sheet, which I would not recommend.”
Los Angeles has had eyes for guys like Kessler, Daniel Gafford, Robert Williams, or other mid-level big men, but with the impending free agencies of LeBron James and Austin Reaves, they might not have enough money for a talent like one of them, let alone the cap space to offer anything close to the amount Duren is expected to get.
Still, according to Buha, the Lakers need to prioritize a big man. It might not be Duren, but if Pelinka and the front office are willing to spend money, there could be a few good options on the table.
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