The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings seem poised for a competitive face-off over acquiring a prominent center.
According to Sam Amick, a senior writer at The Athletic, Jalen Duren, the center for the Detroit Pistons, is scheduled to discuss potential sign-and-trade opportunities with both the Lakers and the Kings.
On Monday, Chris Haynes, a prominent NBA insider, revealed that there is a significant gap between the Pistons and Duren as attempts to reach an agreement on a contract extension for the unrestricted free agent have stalled.
At 22, Duren is nearing the conclusion of his initial four-year contract, during which he earned $19.5 million. The Pistons had chosen him as the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Starting his journey as a supporting player, Duren has rapidly evolved into one of the leading centers in the league. Last season, he narrowly missed making it into the NBA’s top 10 for rebounds, with 8.5 per game, and blocks, with an average of 1.2.
Last year, he played in 70 games, while averaging 19.5 points per game and played a vital part in the Pistons snapping an 18-year playoff drought as they finished the regular season with a 60-22 record, for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Amick reported that the Kings are set to meet with Duren in the morning, which would mean the Lakers would likely meet with him later in the day.
Lakers star Luka Dončić has been vocal about his desire for the Lakers to acquire a big man to help with running the pick and roll.
Right now, the Lakers have two centers under contract in DeAndre Ayton and Jaxon Hayes. Ayton performed underwhelmingly for the Lakers last season, averaging 12.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Acquiring Duren would be the first part of Dončić’s requests for this offseason, as he’s also been vocal about the team acquiring more shooters for him this year.
According to Amick, the Kings are set to offer Domantas Sabonis in their offer for Duren, but noted that, “It’s unclear how the Pistons might see that scenario, but the Kings are clearly serious about the prospect of landing the 22-year-old.”