The Los Angeles Lakers have a Deandre Ayton problem. They probably also have a star problem. Could the Detroit Pistons offer them the solution to both in one fell swoop?
Lakers fans have bemoaned the presence of Deandre Ayton in the starting lineup since the start of the season. For every efficient 16-11 game he puts up, he follows it with two 6-point, 4-rebound duds that illustrate his waning impact. He is allergic to contact, inconsistent on defense, and clogs up the lane because of his love for the midrange.
Deandre Ayton has struggled
That has continued into the playoffs. The Lakers are up 3-1 despite not having Austin Reaves or Luka Doncic available, but it's not because of Ayton. He has just three blocks and one steal in four games, has shot only four free throws, and the Lakers are 5.9 points per 100 worse when he is on the court.
What are the Lakers to do? They might have some cap space available this summer, but is a game-changing center available? And throwing all of their assets at center could make it impossible to build a working perimeter rotation around Doncic and Reaves.
Unless, of course, there was a solution to solve multiple problems at once.
Jalen Duren could be gettable
Another center who has struggled this postseason -- albeit a bit more loudly -- is Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duren. The fourth-year center was dominant all season long, earning an All-Star berth and likely an All-NBA nod. He averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and was the anchor of one of the league's best defenses.
The playoffs have been another story for Duren. In three games, Duren has averaged only 9 points and 8 rebounds, shooting a shockingly cold 41.7 percent from the field and 63.6 percent from the line. He has eight turnovers to just six assists, and defensively the Orlando Magic are going right part him.
Those struggles have been enough for Pistons fans to throw in the towel and demand that the team not hand Duren a max contract. The pending restricted free agent was in line for a massive contract before his playoff wobbles, and the Pistons may understandably be wary of paying Duren big money given those struggles.
Enter the Lakers. Yes, Duren will need to improve from how he has played to start the postseason, but what better teammate to elevate a rolling big man than Luka Doncic? Duren would go from supported to optimized with the Lakers, and the much larger track record of this past season should eclipse the postseason in the mind of the Lakers.
The Lakers could trade Austin Reaves for Duren
How could they go about landing Duren? That's where things get bold. The fit of Doncic and Austin Reaves is fine, but it's not ideal given the defensive struggles of both players. Is it crazy to think that bringing back Luke Kennard and LeBron James and trading Austin Reaves for Jalen Duren might make the Lakers a better team?
It doesn't need to be an even swap, either. Both players are pending free agents and could be part of a sign-and-trade exchange that could be expanded to include DeAndre Ayton heading to the Pistons and another player heading back. If the Lakers want to take a shot at developing Ron Holland, he could be included. Perhaps the target is breakout backup point guard Daniss Jenkins.
Would Reaves and Ayton in exchange for Duren, Holland and a first-round pick work for both sides? It just might. The Pistons get the secondary scorer they need and lean on Isaiah Stewart, Paul Reed and Ayton in a center rotation. The Lakers get the center Luka craves, a perimeter defender with size in Holland who could turn into the exact player they need, and another first to then go out and pursue a long-term co-star for Doncic.
It's bold. It's crazy, even. But could it work? Could it solve the Lakers' problems?
It just might.
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