Lakers Predicted to Target Major Free Agency Move Amid Luka Doncic Injury

With the 2025-26 NBA regular season concluded for the Los Angeles Lakers and the playoffs the next agenda, other front offices are already busy with what to come in the summer. 

Several high-impact names will hit the open market, and the Lakers are one of the teams positioned to pursue a major free agency splash this offseason.

Los Angeles will enter the trade market with cap flexibility depending on how the roster is arranged. 

LeBron James’ future will be the biggest headliner. However, a potential free agent is predicted to land a spot on their roster next season. 

Los Angeles Lakers Could Make Move for Rising Superstar

Bleacher Report writer Eric Pincus highlighted restricted free agent center Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons as a prime target for the Lakers. 

Duren is a breakout NBA All-Star and a huge part of an incredible season by the Pistons that saw them clinch the No. 1 seed in the East. He is among the big-name free agents and the Lakers could do with such a player in the center position to better support Luka Doncic and the Lakers’ core.

Duren earned a salary of just $6.5 million for this season and holds full restricted rights, meaning the Pistons will have to match any offer to keep him. 

That shouldn’t be a problem because his impressive showing this season has positioned him for a sizable payday like max-level. 

“Duren should get a sizable raise to stay, but if the Pistons aren’t willing to max him out, the Lakers have plenty of cap room for an offer sheet,” Pincus wrote.

The Lakers have already felt the hammer of a thin depth with current injury challenges, including Doncic’s recent hamstring strain. 

Why The Lakers Will Be Open for a Move 

Duren is only 22, which makes him far from his prime years, making it hard for the Pistons, who are starting to dominate the East, to let him go for free. 

He has taken a major leap alongside MVP candidate Cade Cunningham. Boasting a 6-foot-10 frame, Duren is averaging a career high in points while still maintaining a top-level elite rebounding.

He can bring an elite two way presence that the Lakers desperately need. 

Doncic has shown in the past that he can work well with centers who are willing to offer a lot in the frontcourt. He did it with the Dallas Mavericks when he had Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. This season, DeAndre Ayton has been the Lakers’ starting center and he is not in the same profile of rim running centers. 

Detroit is expected to keep its young superstar but from history, nothing is guaranteed in free agency. The Lakers could force the Pistons’ hand or, in an unlikely scenario, pry the young All-Star away. 

If Detroit is committed to looking elsewhere to move forward, the franchise can move on from Duren instead of offering him maximum money at the moment. 

For now, the Lakers’ attention is in their first round playoff series as they host the Houston Rockets in Game 1.

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