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The Los Angeles Lakers have remained aggressive in reshaping their roster ahead of Thursday’s 3:00 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline. Before finalizing their acquisition of Mark Williams, the Lakers explored several options for an athletic rim-protecting big man, including Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren.
According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made multiple calls around the league to inquire about available big men. League sources mentioned that the Lakers expressed interest in the Portland Trail Blazers’ Robert Williams, Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner, New York Knicks’ Jericho Sims, Toronto Raptors’ Jakob Poeltl, and Pistons’ Jalen Duren before ultimately securing Williams from the Charlotte Hornets.
Lakers secure Mark Williams but explored Pistons' Jalen Duren as potential frontcourt addition
The Lakers have been aggressively pursuing frontcourt reinforcements since executing their blockbuster trade this past weekend, acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis. The move left them thin at center, making it a priority to add a reliable presence in the paint.
Late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, Los Angeles addressed that need by acquiring the 23-year-old Williams from Charlotte. In return, the Lakers sent rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to the Hornets.
While Williams ultimately became the Lakers’ choice, their reported interest in Duren is notable. The 21-year-old center is averaging 10.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 69.8% from the field across 48 games this season. Duren has been a key factor in Detroit’s resurgence, helping the Pistons to a 25-26 record and the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.
Given Detroit’s position as a playoff contender, it is unclear how seriously the Pistons entertained the Lakers' inquiry. However, their decision to hold onto Duren suggests they view him as a foundational piece for their future.
With Williams now in the fold, the Lakers have filled a critical need in their frontcourt as they push for a deep playoff run alongside Doncic and LeBron James. As the trade deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether Los Angeles will make additional moves to further solidify their roster.