It’s been almost a day since someone suggested the Detroit Pistons should trade for Lauri Markkanen, which may be a record for this offseason.
This time it was Bill Simmons, who called a Markkanen trade to the Pistons, “the most logical trade of the year.”
He threw out the typical package we are seeing for Markkanen, which is Jaden Ivey (more on that in a minute), Tobias Harris and a bunch of picks.
On paper, Markkanen seems like the perfect complement to Cade Cunningham as a big man who can score in a variety of ways, though I have questions about his defense, as Harris was a bit underrated in that department last season.
There is also the Jaden Ivey question (do the Pistons want to pay him?) and the vulnerable Eastern Conference, which may be within Detroit’s grasp if they can add the right impact player.
All of this sounds great, but when you get down to it, there are big red flags here that may scare Trajan Langdon away even if the Jazz are interested.
Detroit Pistons trade: Playoffs, injuries and dealing with the Jazz
I have my concerns about Markkanen, namely that he gets hurt a lot and has never even been in the playoffs. He’s not a great defender, which all of these fake trades tend to gloss over, and is making a ton of money. Oh yeah, and you have to deal with Danny Ainge, who has already set astronomical prices for his players.
Markkanen played 47 games last season. What is that going to look like in four years when he's making $53 million and is on the wrong side of 30 years old? Tobias Harris is not as good as Markkanen, but he's consistently available, a trait Trajan Langdon has valued thus far.
If the Pistons were to try to trade for Markkanen, Ivey would have to be the young player involved, as they aren’t moving Ausar Thompson, and the Pistons also seem high on Ron Holland, who was Langdon’s first draft pick as Pistons president.
The Jazz may have no interest in Ivey, especially when he’s due a big raise, and there will be other teams interested in Markkanen with players Utah may like more, especially considering they just drafted young guards.
Markkanen may be the “logical” trade when it comes to offense, but when it comes to defense, salary, durability and cost, it starts to look less logical.
This certainly isn’t the last we’ve seen of this trade rumor, as everyone from Zach Lowe to Pistons fans on social media are talking about it, but there are concerns that can’t be overlooked.