Walker Kessler of Utah has been pursuing a similar strategy, hoping that by meeting with multiple teams—including the Lakers—the Jazz might decide to let him depart when an offer arrives. Notably, star Luka Doncic has expressed interest in playing alongside players of this caliber, though that desire is not a factor for the Pistons or Jazz in the short term.
Many league executives view these public meetings as a form of leverage that, in practice, rarely translates into real results. The team that owns a restricted free agent’s rights can still match any incoming offer, which means counterpart teams often retain limited negotiating power. One executive summed it up bluntly: meetings and public sentiment can be nice for PR purposes, but they rarely yield measurable leverage.
Luka Doncic’s interest in surrounding himself with high-caliber players has added a layer of intrigue. The Lakers, armed with substantial cap space—roughly $52 million after parting ways with LeBron James—could, in theory, submit an offer sheet to Duren or Kessler. Yet, there is skepticism that the Pistons (Duren’s current team) would forfeit their rights by letting him walk, especially after his All-NBA season, despite a tougher playoff run.
Rumors have circulated that Doncic specifically requested the organization pursue an “A-List” center. In practice, the only truly marquee unrestricted or restricted center available in this cycle is Duren, making the Lakers’ pursuit seem more like a statement move than a genuine pathway to acquisition. Some observers describe the effort as hollow—more about signaling intent to Doncic than about realistically landing the player.
Looking ahead, it seems more likely the Lakers could target other frontcourt options such as Sandro Mamukelashvili or Mitchell Robinson, or perhaps both, rather than landing Duren or Kessler. The broader objective may be to demonstrate to Doncic that the franchise is actively exploring top-tier centers and making substantial efforts to improve the roster, even if the chances of completing a blockbuster swap are slim.
As discussions continue, analysts note that the underlying dynamic remains unchanged: restricted free agents retain significant control through their rights, and any sign-and-trade or outright signing would still hinge on the willingness of the original team to match offers. The Lakers, meanwhile, appear focused on signaling their intent—using high-profile meetings and bold cap-space maneuvers—to keep Doncic engaged and to show they are willing to pursue elite talent in pursuit of a championship.
In the end, the market for restricted free agents this summer remains a chess match of optics and strategy. Public meetings and aspirational targets may capture headlines, but the practical leverage still rests with the teams that hold the rights to these players. For fans, the intrigue lies in watching how front offices balance signaling acts with the realities of contract negotiations, cap economics, and competitive timing as the season approaches.
