For years, the Pistons have been linked to Lauri Markkanen as a potential trade suitor but a realistic opportunity never emerged because the Jazz were adamant on keeping him unless a gargantuan package was offered. Now that the Jazz have finally assembled a team they believe should contend for a playoff spot and still started 1-6, they may be more willing to part ways with Markkanen for a reasonable package.
The Pistons have gotten off to a good start again this season, but can see the obvious signs of a struggling offense under the surface. Detroit could still use a more threatening shooter and scorer at the power forward spot, where Markkanen could slide in perfectly.
Markkanen is still a good Pistons trade target
Markkanen offers some obvious advantages for the Pistons as an elite play finisher. He’s struggled to start this season, but just averaged 27 points per game last season while shooting 48% from the field and 36% from three (on nearly 8 attempts per game).
He’s never been the biggest self-creator but that might not matter now that the Pistons have more playmaking across the roster. Markkanen’s off-ball scoring should still play well in Detroit’s system, especially in terms of spacing the floor better for emerging creators.
On the other side of the court, Markkanen’s defense hasn’t been the strongest in recent seasons. But the Pistons have managed to find success so far this season with John Collins at the same position. Collins wasn’t considered a strong defender before coming to Detroit either, but the Pistons scheme and help defenders have made him look passable.
The Pistons have some trade pieces that can work
To make salaries match, the Pistons will need to send multiple players to Utah for Markkanen. One will inevitably have to be Collins, who’s the third highest-paid Piston. Either Collins or Duncan Robinson needs to be in the deal, and Robinson has been too valuable with his shooting.
If the Pistons throw in two more mid-sized contracts like Isaiah Joe and Ron Holland II, they could pull off a trade for Markkanen. Inevitably, the Jazz would want some draft compensation on top of that. One first round pick seems reasonable from Detroit’s perspective, especially if the Pistons keep winning so many regular season games.
The Jazz must accept at some point or later that Markkanen’s greatest value for them will be as a trade chip. He’s now 29 years old and the Jazz still look nowhere close to contending.
Yes, they’ve faced two major injuries to Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson Jr to start this season. But the guard play is still not strong enough to make a real splash in the next couple of seasons, even with the frontcourt healthy. By the time the team develops properly, Markkanen will be past his prime with nothing to show for it.
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