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Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka during a press conference in June 2024

Despite the Los Angeles Lakers’ season only recently coming to an end, offseason speculation is already in full swing.

It projects to be a pivotal summer for the franchise, with several key contracts expiring and the futures of LeBron James and Austin Reaves continuing to dominate discussion.

Rumors surrounding potential roster upgrades have also intensified, including a possible blockbuster pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

At the same time, after an inconsistent campaign from Deandre Ayton, the Lakers are widely expected to explore ways to reshape the center rotation, with Jalen Duren emerging as one possible target.

Lakers Tipped to Pursue Jalen Duren After Playoff Struggles

Duren enjoyed a breakout regular season with the Detroit Pistons and earned his first NBA All-Star selection.

Across 70 games, the young center averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and just under one steal and block per contest while shooting an efficient 65.0% from the field.

However, those numbers dipped noticeably during the postseason as Detroit fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games during the second round.

Across 14 playoff appearances, the 22-year-old averaged just 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds, drawing criticism for his performances.

Still, Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes Duren’s postseason struggles could ultimately work in the Lakers’ favor as he approaches restricted free agency.

“The Los Angeles Lakers‘ odds of stealing Jalen Duren away from the Detroit Pistons in restricted free agency this summer went up after his playoff struggles,” Watts wrote. “It has to have the Pistons questioning how to build around Cade Cunningham and hesitant to pay Duren a massive contract.”

“Lakers fans may be worried about Duren, but this is a 22-year-old All-Star big man. Detroit also stopped giving him easy looks around the rim. Lakers fans know Luka will keep feeding the big man the ball.”

“The 22-year-old big man must be put in positions to succeed. He shouldn’t be creating off the dribble or having to do too much. The Lakers are the perfect spot. Luka will feed him lobs and easy buckets at the rim. Duren can focus on protecting the rim and anchoring the defense.”

“LA wants to re-sign Austin Reaves and LeBron James. They could quickly become one of the most talented teams in the NBA.”

LA May Face Difficult Path to Landing Pistons Center

Watts added that the “door is open” for the Lakers to make a serious push for Duren this offseason and suggested that “the gap got wider with his playoff struggles.”

Bleacher Report salary cap analyst Eric Pincus recently pointed out that many of the top younger centers potentially available this summer, including Duren, Walker Kessler, and Mark Williams, will all enter restricted free agency.

That reality could force interested teams into inflated offer sheets that may become difficult to justify financially.

Instead, Pincus identified Isaiah Hartenstein, depending on the status of his Oklahoma City Thunder team option, along with Mitchell Robinson, as more realistic and affordable targets for Los Angeles.

Despite Detroit’s playoff exit, The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson has reported that the Pistons still intend to continue building around Duren and Ausar Thompson, alongside Cade Cunningham.

According to Patterson, Detroit plans to pursue extensions with both young players, potentially closing the door on any Lakers pursuit before it fully develops.

Los Angeles has also previously been linked with bringing back backup center Jaxson Hayes.

At the same time, Pincus suggested the Lakers could ultimately decide to retain Ayton, who holds an $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season, while continuing to pair him with Hayes in the rotation.

That route would allow the Lakers to maintain greater financial flexibility for perimeter upgrades and, according to Pincus, “may be the more natural solution for the Lakers.”