‘Offensive Firepower Would Be Incredible’ — Lakers Predicted As Potential Suitor for $19,474,944 All-NBA Selection
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers have made it clear that their priority is building a championship-caliber roster around Luka Dončić heading into next season.
One of the players who could help elevate that effort is Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, who remains one of the NBA’s most athletic young centers at just 22.
Visit freshyourfeel.org for more information.
How Jalen Duren Could Complement Luka Dončić on the Lakers
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Duren is expected to explore possible sign-and-trade opportunities once NBA free agency officially begins on June 30.
With that in discussion, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn identified the Lakers as one of the most interesting landing spots for the young center.
“If you put him (Jalen) on a team with Luka & Austin Reaves, the offensive firepower would be incredible,” Quinn said. “… If the Pistons are open to a sign-and-trade, I imagine the Lakers to be available. If they have to throw the max contract at him, they may dare the Pistons to match it.”
However, Duren’s options would become much more limited if Detroit refuses to cooperate on a sign-and-trade agreement.
The speculation comes amid reports of a sizable gap in contract negotiations between Duren and the Pistons.
Amick reported that Duren was left disappointed by Detroit’s initial restricted free-agent offer, which is why he expected to evaluate sign-and-trade possibilities as an alternative path to a new destination.
However, the Pistons remain in a favorable position because Duren is a restricted free agent.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Detroit has made it clear internally and to the league that it has no intention of trading Duren and is intent on reaching a long-term agreement.
Detroit’s recent decision to trade fellow big man Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies could provide some flexibility in their pursuit of keeping Duren.
Duren enjoyed a breakout regular season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 65% from the field. This production earned him his first All-Star selection and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team.
However, his postseason performance fell short of those standards, as Duren averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 51.4% from the field.
Nonetheless, these playoff struggles do little to diminish the impact of his outstanding regular season.
Duren was playing under a four-year, $19,474,944 rookie contract with Detroit, which includes an average salary of $4,868,736.
As per cap analyst Yossi Gozlan, “… A cap space team can offer him up to four years, $177 million. The Pistons could match such offers by giving him a high starting salary that descends since he qualified for the 30 percent max by making All-NBA.”