Few teams, if any, are having a more tumultuous lead-up to NBA free agency than the Detroit Pistons. Jalen Duren wants out after being given underwhelming contract offers. There has been some speculation that Tobias Harris is leaving too. The Pistons desperately need a win.
Woah, what's that? That may just be Rui Hachimura's music.
There is some added momentum with the idea that Hachimura may return to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Rui has long stood out as the odd man out in Hollywood. If any of the pending free agents were going to be require a new suitor for a payday, the Lakers forward was always going to be at the top of that list.
Replacing two starters, in the event of Duren and Harris both departing, would be a considerable uphill battle for the Pistons. Getting Hachimura, along with whatever else the Lakers are willing to offer, back in a sign-and-trade would at least secure one of those starting spots in Detroit.
Lakers' Rui Hachimura could soften the blow of Pistons losing Jalen Duren
Harris thrived during his time with the Pistons. Hachimura may not be as adept at creating his own shot, but he does offer a significant uptick in the shooting department. Detroit has continued to crave spacing around Cade Cunningham, and they would get that here.
The Lakers, similarly, would be getting what they need from Duren. Luka Doncic reportedly asked for an A-list center earlier in the offseason. Even after the playoff struggles, the Pistons big man was still an All-NBA Third Team guy, and clearly represents what Doncic wants.
NBA insider Sam Amick even clued everyone in on the fact that Luka has long admired Duren.
"The Lakers are on the lookout for an upgrade at the center spot. ... League sources say Lakers star Luka Doncic is known to be a fan of Duren’s game, which is a monumental factor for any player who’s trying to be welcomed into Crypto.com Arena these days.”
Win-win? Perhaps that would be the stretch. However, this could be the Pistons making the best out of a bad situation.
They should never have let it get this far with Duren. Now, with him posing a legitimate flight risk, the Pistons need to do damage control.
To add on here, I’m told that Jalen Duren very much wants to play in Sacramento and Kings big man Domantas Sabonis is likewise interested in the prospect of landing with the Pistons. https://t.co/pknGtbcZ7W
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2026
Detroit could do business with the Sacramento Kings for Domantas Sabonis. That has been the other team that has been linked to Duren amid the standoff with the Pistons on his next deal.
However, if Duren is viewed as a potential overpay, then what does that make Sabonis?
The Kings center will be earning around $45.5 million in 2026-27. That is not a drop in the bucket. Hachimura may not be a former All-Star, but there is also no responsibility to pay him as much. Add in some level of draft capital, and what the Lakers have to offer could be the superior package.
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