"Pelinka tried to Trade for Him": Lakers Fans Bummed About Failed Move For Cade Cunningham's Teammate Amid Breakout Season

LA Lakers fans regretted a missed opportunity to trade for Cade Cunningham's breakout co-star and teammate, Jalen Duren, who exploded for another massive outing. Duren is averaging 19.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 65.1% shooting in 10 games, guiding Detroit to an 8-2 record.

On Sunday, against the Philadelphia 76ers, Duren had his third consecutive and sixth double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds. He added two blocks and as many steals in the 111-108 win, while shooting 72.7% and 5 of 7 from the free throw line. He's had three games with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds.

The Lakers were reportedly after him during the 2025 NBA trade deadline after acquiring Luka Doncic. While searching for their Anthony Davis replacement at the five, Jalen Duren was on general manager Rob Pelinka's wishlist.

According to Brett Siegel, when the Lakers agreed to trade for Mark Williams, a deal that collapsed at the last minute, Pelinka checked in on multiple big men, including Duren.

"League sources say Robert Williams, Myles Turner, and Jericho Sims were big men on the Lakers' radar," Siegel wrote in February. "Although their asking prices were too steep, Los Angeles also inquired about Jakob Poeltl with Toronto and Jalen Duren with Detroit, sources confirmed."

It seems like the Pistons had no intentions to trade the 21-year-old then, and for right measure, considering his surge as Cade Cunningham's pick-and-roll partner.

While the Lakers have settled on a big man now with Deandre Ayton, the fans didn't hide their emotions on Jalen Duren amid his explosive run. Here's how they reacted:

Shane George

@ShaneGeorge117

Pelinka tried to trade for him at the deadline, only if it was done🤌 him next to luka lebron reaves would be perfect

Dom 🪐

@MavsPlsScore

Lakers were really about to trade for him wow

C A L V I N 🕷️

@calvingonba

Need him in gold with Luka so bad

6!🎭 (7-3)

@voltgotfx

if only pelinka traded k***** for him instead of m*** W*******

Lakersalltheway

@Lakersallthewa3

Top 5 Center in the Association

🥭ريفز

@Ar15Mvp

This is Shaq bro

---

Lakers Trade Buzz: Jalen Duren will be a distant dream for now

As appealing as it looks, the Lakers' prospects of landing Jalen Duren via trade seem distant for now. Unless Duren demands a trade specifically to LA, or fails to reach an agreement in restricted free agency with the Pistons, the Lakers don't have a better chance than anyone else.

A potential option could be to involve Austin Reaves, but even that seems unlikely. The Pistons already have Cade Cunningham as their point guard, and while Reaves can adapt to playing next to anyone, the Pistons would prefer the balance they have with Duren.

LA also wouldn't part ways with Reaves in such a deal. He's likely cemented himself as Doncic's long-term co-star once LeBron James leaves the Lakers. On paper, Reaves' on-court impact is higher than Duren and so is his market value.

The Lakers could have had a chance by making an offer the Pistons wouldn't refuse, stashed with draft capital. However, LA doesn't have more than one tradeable first round pick this season. In the 2026 offseason, the Lakers will have three if they retain the 2031 and 2032 picks at the 2026 deadline.

However, the Lakers are unlikely to unload all picks on one player as they look to build a long-term supporting cast around Luka Doncic involving several multi-dimensional players.