The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly agreed to terms with Austin Reaves on a four-year, $185 million contract, but still face plenty of work ahead as free agency gets underway Tuesday afternoon.
In addition to the future of LeBron James still hanging in the balance, the Lakers seemingly are in need of a top center that would satisfy Luka Doncic’s wishes. As it currently stands, the primary big man on the Lakers’ roster for next season is tracking to be Deandre Ayton, who exercised his $8.1 million player option.
Lakers face long odds to sign Jalen Duren?
Meanwhile, the Lakers front office reportedly is among the teams poised to meet with restricted free agent Jalen Duren. Teams are permitted to begin negotiating with all free agents as of 3 p.m. PT on Tuesday. Duren is also said to have a meeting scheduled with the Sacramento Kings.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings have emerged as Duren’s preferred destination and there is shared interest from Domantas Sabonis in a deal being facilitated as he would like to join the Detroit Pistons.
To add on here, I’m told that Jalen Duren very much wants to play in Sacramento and Kings big man Domantas Sabonis is likewise interested in the prospect of landing with the Pistons. https://t.co/pknGtbcZ7W
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2026
Further complicating the Lakers’ pursuit of Duren is the Pistons aren’t said to be inclined to play a part in a sign-and-trade, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren has a planned call with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, a league source confirmed to ESPN (@sam_amick first). However DET thus far is uninterested in pursuing a sign and trade with their All-Star big man, sources said.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 29, 2026
From the Lakers’ standpoint, their path to adding Duren could come in the form of a sign and trade, or agreeing to terms. But even if setting aside Duren’s apparent preference for the Kings and the Pistons’ unwillingness to trade the All-Star, there is risk when going the route of free agency.
Because Duren is a restricted free agent, the Pistons would have up to 48 hours to decide whether or not they wished to match an offer sheet he potentially signs from the Lakers. That in turn would inhibit the Lakers’ other free agency dealings and result in missing out on multiple options, especially if the Pistons ultimately decided to match the contract.
Another option available to Duren, albeit unlikely, is picking up his qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season and then becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.
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