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 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.