The Los Angeles Lakers will be waiting for the answers on multiple player options, including Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, and Deandre Ayton, while preparing for an eventful upcoming offseason.
With a lot of questions that are yet to be determined for the Lakers organization moving forward, they could be in line for some blockbuster deals.
Los Angeles has been projected to have around $50 million in cap space this summer. Rumors are starting to circulate, and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard and the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren are two names that have emerged as free agent prospects for the Lakers.
Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard and Pistons’ Jalen Duren labeled as potential Lakers additions
According to Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron, the Lakers are a team that could trade for the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard or potentially sign the Pistons’ Jalen Duren to a long-term deal this offseason.
Leonard, 34, is on pace for a career-high in points per game (28.0) while adding 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 blocks per outing.
Gozlan says that if Leonard is unable to continue his Clippers tenure after the NBA-Aspiration scandal, the Lakers could trade for him and the $50.3 million he is owed in the 2026-27 season.
As for Duren, 22, he is expected to have a large payday after earning his first All-Star bid in the final year of his rookie contract with the Pistons.
While averaging 17.8 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 63.0 percent from the field, Detroit may have to let him walk in restricted free agency this offseason. Reports have projected Duren to get an extension that could be worth over $180 million over five years.
The Lakers will have some money to work with. It will be up to the front office to determine what void they would like to address in just a few months.
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