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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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Earlier Monday, reports emerged that restricted free agent Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons were nowhere close to a new contract. That opened the door for the All-Star center to explore potential sign-and-trade options.
The Sacramento Kings quickly surfaced as the first serious suitor, with a meeting scheduled after negotiations between Duren and Detroit fell through. Since Duren is a restricted free agent, the Pistons still have full control and can match any offer sheet, making a sign-and-trade the only realistic path for Duren to leave Detroit.
Now, another Western Conference contender has entered the race.
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According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, Duren also has a call scheduled with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday when free agency opens, immediately inserting LA into the sweepstakes for one of the NBA's best big men.
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Before leaving Los Angeles for the offseason, Luka Doncic reportedly made one single request to the Lakers front office: find me a legitimate "A-list" center. He said that's what he believes he needs to compete for an NBA championship, and that's the standard in LA.
The Lakers have been linked to practically every big man in the league, but Duren checks all the boxes. He's coming off a career year with Detroit, where he averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and shot 65% from the field. Even at 22 years old, he's already proven to be an elite center capable of anchoring the paint on both ends.
After re-signing Austin Reaves to a four-year, $185 million deal last week, the Lakers don't have a lot of cap space left. So a sign-and-trade involving multiple contracts and draft assets would be the most likely option here.
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Detroit has little incentive to move one of its youngest cornerstone pieces and is reportedly not interested in pursuing a sign-and-trade. But that could change if negotiations continue to deteriorate and another team like LA presents an attractive package.
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