Keith Smith: Factoring in the reported contracts for John Collins, Kevin Huerter & Javonte Green and the Gary Harris/Taurean Prince acquisitions, I’ve got the Pistons at about $42.8M under the luxury tax. That’s enough room to give Jalen Duren a 25% of the cap max without going into the tax. — 7/7/2026 x.com
The primary reason the Lakers likely chose Kessler over offering a max deal to Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Jalen Duren is that Kessler is one of the NBA’s best rim protectors. He’s the kind of interior presence a team needs if it’s going to employ Dončić and Reaves on the perimeter as primary playmakers. In 2024-25, Kessler’s last full(ish) season, he contested 7.5 shots per game at the rim, according to NBA.com, which tied for the fifth-most in the league. On those shots, he allowed opponents to shoot just 54.8 percent. Among the 16 players in the league to contest at least six shots per game that season, that percentage ranked third behind only Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, who were the top two finalists for Defensive Player of the Year this season. In the three full seasons he has played, Kessler has blocked at least 2.3 shots per game. — 7/2/2026 New York Times
The Pistons have maintained their stance that they’re not interested in sign-and-trade scenarios for Jalen Duren and will continue to try to bridge the gap between both sides and get a deal done. Duren and Domantas Sabonis share the same agency, The Team. With Sabonis, 30, naturally looking to compete in the prime of his career instead of beginning a rebuild, and the Kings exploring the trade market for Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, it’s easy to see why this Duren sign-and-trade scenario would appeal to Sacramento. On paper, however, going from the 22-year-old Duren to the 30-year-old Sabonis, who’s owed $94.08 million over the next two years, isn’t prudent for Detroit. — 7/2/2026 HoopsHype
Duren was told by the Lakers in the meeting that they view him as a maximum-salary level player, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations. The 22-year-old received a similar message of strong interest from the Sacramento Kings, who also met with Duren on Tuesday and indicated that they will continue to explore sign-and-trade scenarios to land him. — 7/1/2026 New York Times
Detroit Pistons restricted free agent center Jalen Duren had a productive meeting with the Lakers on Tuesday and is scheduled to meet with them again on Wednesday morning, league sources told The Athletic. — 7/1/2026 New York Times
Shams Charania: Lakers president Rob Pelinka has been in the midst of multiple meetings with free agents. That includes restricted free agents like Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren. That includes other unrestricted free agents as well. They’re going to prioritize some size, shooting, backcourt help. I think all of it. — 7/1/2026 YouTube
Jake Fischer: Detroit has maintained a stance that they won’t sign-and-trade franchise center Jalen Duren. But key starter Tobias Harris is leaving the Pistons, unless he ultimately would want to return to Detroit on a very reduced salary. — 7/1/2026 x.com
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, one of the top restricted free agents this summer, has a pair of meetings with outside teams scheduled for when free agency officially begins Tuesday. One of the teams is the Los Angeles Lakers, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN. L.A.’s front office has been given feedback from franchise star Luka Doncic for his desire to pair with an “A-list center,” a league source told ESPN, and Duren would certainly fit the bill. The other team Duren plans to meet with, a league source told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, is the Sacramento Kings. — 6/30/2026 ESPN
(The Lakers’ incumbent starting center, Deandre Ayton, picked up his $8.1 million player option Monday.) Yet in stark contrast to the Kings’ scenario, the Lakers’ best offerings might be draft capital rather than quality players, as Detroit could trade Duren into the Lakers’ salary-cap space. Lakers star Luka Dončić is known to be a fan of Duren’s game, league sources say, which is a monumental factor for any player who’s trying to be welcomed into Crypto.com Arena these days. — 6/30/2026 New York Times
Those sources, who are not authorized to discuss free-agent scenarios before the offseason officially begins, say the Kings and Lakers are scheduled to meet with Duren after free agency opens Tuesday. It’s unclear whether the Kings’ visit will be in person or virtual, but those sources say the Lakers’ meeting is expected to be by phone. — 6/30/2026 New York Times
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