NBA Trade Idea Has Detroit Pistons Acquire Lauri Markkanen From Utah Jazz
An NBA trade idea has the Detroit Pistons acquiring Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz.
NBA writer Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Pistons and Jazz:
Detroit Pistons Acquire: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz Acquire: Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland II, a 2028 first-round pick (top-3 protected) and a 2030 first-round pick (top-3 protected)
The Pistons would have a talented core of Markkanen, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson if Detroit’s front office traded for Markkanen.
It’s early, but the Pistons are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 8-2.
Markkanen has appeared in nine games for the Jazz this season. He’s averaging 28.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 45.2% from the field, 33.7% from beyond the arc and 89.1% from the free-throw line.
“Markkanen wouldn’t necessarily address the secondary playmaking issues Detroit faces, but he’d draw enough attention as a red-alert scorer to lighten the load on Cunningham in other ways,” Hughes wrote. “Off to a start that has him positioned to blow away his All-Star numbers of 2022-23, Markkanen is putting up 30.4 points per game on a 60.8 true shooting percentage.
“His movement-shooting prowess from deep is basically unmatched among bigs around the league, and the 28-year-old is also a threat to punish opposing defenses with a wildly underrated driving game. Hard closeouts are a must against a 7-footer who has drilled at least two triples per game in every year of his career, but Markkanen has become just as adept as a fake-and-go attacker. He’s getting to the foul line a career-best 7.4 times per game through eight contests with the Jazz this season.”
The Pistons are 17th in the NBA in points per game and 18th in offensive rating. They need another dynamic scorer next to Cunningham and Markkanen fits that bill to a T.
A one-time All-Star, Markkanen has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. He has career averages of 18.4 points per game. The 28-year-old won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
Markkanen doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. He’s making $46,394,100 this season.
Latest NBA News & Rumors
- NBA Scouts, Coaches Feel Dallas Mavericks’ Anthony Davis Isn’t Looking As Mobile As He Normally Does
- NBA News: Sacramento Kings’ Malik Monk Named Trade Target For Dallas Mavericks
- NBA Rumors: Ja Morant ‘Hates’ Playing For Memphis Grizzlies Coach Tuomas Iisalo
