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Lakers predicted to upgrade from Deandre Ayton, sign $200 million All-Star center if current team doesn't extend him after breakout season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in need of a good center for years. Anthony Davis refused to be one, and so far Deandre Ayton has been a disappointment.
However, there may be a future superstar in the making available in free agency, if the stars align. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus predicts that if the Detroit Pistons can’t come to an agreement with their breakout All-Star in Jalen Duren, the Lakers could snatch him up in restricted free agency.
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“Along with MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, Duren has emerged over the last two years as a true game-changer in Detroit. He's grown on both sides of the floor, especially defensively on a very stingy Pistons squad. A first-time All-Star, Duren is averaging a career high of 19.5 points a game for the best team in the Eastern Conference by record (60-22). Duren should get a sizable raise to stay, but if the Pistons aren't willing to max him out, the Lakers have plenty of cap room for an offer sheet,” Pincus wrote.
As Pincus noted, Duren averaged a career high 19.5 points this season, as well as 10.5 rebounds and two assists in 28.2 minutes per game. He could be the perfect center to pair with Luka Doncic, who could use him in pick-and-rolls to the basket, further raising Duren’s PPG and RPG.
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Duren’s latest contract update projects that he will receive a five-year, $200 million deal. Austin Reaves is projected to receive a five-year, $241 million extension as well on top of Doncic’s three-year, $160 million contract. That’s a lot of money for three players, but this is the price to pay for greatness in the current NBA.
Hopefully, the Lakers can land Duren, and get Doncic the center he needs. A Big Three of Doncic, Duren and Reaves would also make the Lakers a top contender in the league.
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