Lakers predicted to go all-in for $200M All-Star shot blocker, perfect Luka Doncic lob threat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers know that Luka Dončić is at his best when he has an athletic, high-flying big man alongside him. Backup center Jaxson Hayes is already planning to spend the entire summer working with Dončić to build a stronger connection.

“Hayes is originally from Oklahoma, and given the talent on the Team USA, he was unlikely to ever get a chance to compete at the Olympic level, making this an incredible opportunity. From a bigger picture perspective, Hayes getting his Slovenian passport to team up with Luka may have just secured his Lakers future,” Lake Show Life’s Chris Lambert wrote.

Still, the Lakers could pursue a big-name center this offseason. One name to watch is Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons.

“Duren would take up a lot of the Lakers' newfound cap space, but he's one of the few players who -- if available -- would be worth it. At just 22 years old, Duren would give LA an All-Star-caliber center for the remainder of Luka's career. Duren has averaged 68.75 regular-season games played over his first four seasons in the NBA -- there aren't any durability concerns there. And again, based on his age, one can assume that Duren hasn't approached his ceiling yet. Guys like Luka and Austin Reaves (and LeBron James, if he comes back!) would no doubt make Duren a better offensive weapon by getting him easy bucket after easy bucket,”