The Los Angeles Lakers have made it clear they want to build a contender around Luka Doncic, and the five-time All-Star recently outlined one of the biggest needs he believes the roster still has. Speaking on Drafteados, Doncic emphasized the importance of surrounding him with perimeter shooting and an athletic center capable of thriving in the pick-and-roll.
– What qualities do the players next to you need to have so you can perform at your level?
“I think mainly shooters and a big man who can run the pick-and-roll and jump so I can pass to him. If I have shooters, they won’t double me as much and it helps me out.”
YT/DrafteadosNBA pic.twitter.com/pi3tOAuxj3
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) June 16, 2026
“I think it is very important. I think every summer is very important. And I think this one is a little more important as well. Having a good team, good people on the team. So I think it is an important summer. I think mainly shooters and a big man who can run the pick-and-roll and jump, so I can pass to him. If I have shooters, they won’t double me as much, and it helps me out.”
One player who fits that description is Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, whose contract situation has become one of the more intriguing storylines of the offseason. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Duren was underwhelmed by the Pistons’ initial contract offer and is expected to explore sign-and-trade scenarios once they become permissible. While Detroit still has avenues to retain the restricted free agent, the report indicates there is a significant gap between the two sides as negotiations continue.
Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and shot 65% from the floor in the regular season, but those numbers took a massive hit in the postseason, when he dropped to 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game and shot 51.4% from the field. Despite his playoff struggles, Duren remains one of the NBA’s most athletic young centers at just 22 years old.
His play during the regular season earned him an All-Star nod and third-team All-NBA honors. His ability as a lob threat and rim runner would seemingly complement Doncic’s playmaking, should he ever become available to the Lakers or another team seeking a frontcourt upgrade. For now, there has been no indication the Lakers are pursuing Duren, but his uncertain future in Detroit is one to monitor as free agency unfolds.
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