The Los Angeles Lakers have arranged a Tuesday conversation with restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren, but multiple reports indicate the Detroit Pistons All-Star would rather land with the Sacramento Kings.
NBA teams can begin free-agency negotiations at 3 p.m. PT Tuesday. While the Lakers try to bolster their frontcourt—currently headlined by Deandre Ayton, who exercised an $8.1 million player option—they face steep odds in the pursuit of the 20-year-old center.
Preferred destination appears to be Sacramento
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Duren “very much wants to play in Sacramento,” and Kings forward Domantas Sabonis is interested in a scenario that would send him to Detroit. Amick’s report was published on June 30, 2026, the day before free agency opens.
Pistons reluctant to cooperate
The Lakers’ clearest path to Duren would be a sign-and-trade, yet ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on June 29 that Detroit is “uninterested” in facilitating such a deal. Because Duren is a restricted free agent, the Pistons can match any offer sheet within 48 hours, potentially tying up the Lakers’ cap space and limiting other moves if Detroit ultimately retains him.
Lakers’ broader offseason picture
Los Angeles already has an agreement in place with Austin Reaves on a four-year, $185 million deal and is still awaiting a decision from LeBron James. Team officials are also looking for a frontcourt upgrade that would meet Luka Dončić’s reported preference for a premier center.
Duren could instead accept his $ qualifying offer for 2026-27 and enter unrestricted free agency next summer, though that route is considered unlikely.
The Lakers will proceed with Tuesday’s scheduled call, but the combination of Detroit’s stance and Duren’s interest in Sacramento leaves Los Angeles with limited leverage as the free-agency period begins.
Source: Lakers Nation
