The Utah Jazz were hit with the devastating news that center Walker Kessler has a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season. It’s a shame, as Kessler had started the season well and looked to be on his way to a career year. He was a big part of Utah’s unexpected 3-4 start that had them thinking play-in instead of tanking.
That may all change now, as they just lost 14 points, 10 rebounds, and nearly two blocks per game. You never want to see injuries to anyone, but there is always fallout.
Detroit Pistons: Trading for Lauri Markkanen
I don’t want to sound like a bloodthirsty vulture, as injuries are the worst part of basketball, but it’s impossible not to think about how this might affect Utah’s future.
The Jazz may like what they are building and don’t have to do anything, but it will be more difficult for them to compete realistically in a loaded Western Conference without their starting center.
That doesn’t mean the Jazz are going to blow it up, but if they can’t keep up in the West, they may be more inclined to cash in Lauri Markkanen while he is playing well, which he is, averaging over 30 a game in the young season.
It doesn’t change any of the risk or challenges associated with Lauri Markkanen though, as he is still an injury prone player himself, and on a big contract that would require three players to match.
There’s also dealing with Danny Ainge, who is going to extract everything possible if he does decide to trade his star wing.
I wrote about this particular trade rumor being dampened because of the injuries to Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey, so there’s also the issue that two of the Pistons’ best trade assets aren’t playing.
It’s hard to know how this devastating injury will affect Utah’s plans, but all of the same issues remain for the Pistons and that’s before you even get to the other teams that will inevitably want to get involved if Markkanen is made available.
You also have to wonder how the Pistons’ hot start in what looks to be a vulnerable Eastern Conference will affect their decisions, as trading for someone like Markkanen could vault them into contender status, or it could blow up in their faces.
There is a segment of the fanbase that will certainly be on full-time Markkanen watch, but it’s a move that would carry a huge cost and level of risk for the Pistons.