The Los Angeles Lakers are on pace to have a rare opportunity to make a splash in free agency in 2026. After years of surveying the buyout market and relying on minimum contracts to bolster the rotation, the Lakers are in line to be able to offer major money to the top pending free agents.
With this in mind, Los Angeles [must be financially responsible](https://lakeshowlife.com/lakers-trade-deadline-plan-only-vindicated-by-major-heist-free-agency) and ensure that it can offer the full max to Detroit Pistons rising superstar Jalen Duren.
Let's get this out of the way bright and early: Duren is a restricted free agent and the Pistons can thus match any offer he receives. With Detroit currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference, it's fair to believe it will re-sign Duren no matter the cost.
That makes the dream of Los Angeles signing Duren exactly that: A dream. It simply doesn't hurt to follow one's dreams through until the end.
If the Lakers have the cap space to do so, offering Duren a max-level salary would at least give them a chance to sign him. Unlikely as it may be, the Pistons may ultimately declare that they're unwilling to match the offer. For what it's worth: Detroit declined to meet his demands on an extension.
Much has changed since then, of course, but Los Angeles must view Duren as he is: A player who can [anchor the next decade](https://lakeshowlife.com/lebron-james-biggest-benefit-luka-doncic-something-fans-dont-see) of Lakers basketball alongside Luka Doncic.
Lakers must protect cap space to offer max-level contract to Jalen Duren
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Duren is only 22 years of age, but he's already one of the most physically imposing players in the NBA. He's an unstoppable force of nature on the glass, a strong interior defensive anchor, and a steadily improving scoring threat who's beginning to realize what he's capable of down low.
Assertiveness and consistency were the main issues for Duren through three seasons, but he's turned a corner in 2025-26 and now looks the part of an All-NBA mainstay.
Duren is currently averaging 17.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.1 offensive boards, 1.7 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals in just 28.4 minutes per game. His already tremendous production translates to 22.7 points, 13.5 rebounds, 5.2 offensive boards, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per 36 minutes.
At 63.3 percent shooting from the field and a 72.4 percent clip at the free throw line, Duren offers an elite blend of power, production, and efficiency from an interior-based center.
Beyond the traditional statistics, Duren ranks in the 88th percentile in both rim shot making efficiency and rim protection, per Basketball Index. He also places in the 95th percentile in both defensive and offensive rebounds per 75 possessions.
Compounded by the fact that the 28-9 Pistons are outscoring opponents by 8.9 points per 100 possessions when he's on the court, Duren is a true impact player.
In the event that the Pistons refuse to match the Lakers' offer, Doncic would be getting the perfect interior complement. He could work the pick and roll with Duren in a similar manner to how Cade Cunningham has managed to, empower the up-and-comer to thrive down low, and would finally have a reliable anchor behind him on defense.
Signing Duren would require a number of factors to go their way, but the Lakers must ensure they have the opportunity to make a legitimate offer in free agency.