The Los Angeles Lakers' looming cap space had Jalen Duren's name written all over it. The fit would be seamless. Luka Doncic would have his long-term partner down low for the foreseeable future. The Detroit Pistons are not having it.
After the Pistons and Duren failed to reach a rookie extension before this season's deadline, the young center made them pay for that decision immediately. Duren elevated himself to a new level in Detroit, making the price of his next contract grow substantially in the process.
This is where opportunity came knocking for the Lakers.