Detroit Pistons fans continue to dream of trading for Lauri Markkanen, but those chances may have been dashed after the Jazz selected two talented guards in the draft.
The Utah Jazz took both Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. in the first round of the draft, two talented guards who will likely be a big part of their current rebuild. The Jazz, like the Pistons of a few years ago, are still trying to land a superstar to build around, and hope one of these two guards is it, though I’m certain they’d prefer to have Cooper Flagg.
The Jazz are likely tanking again, so the Lauri Markkanen trade rumors are already heating up, and I’ve outlined many times the challenges, pros and cons of making such a trade.
But the point may be moot, as the Pistons’ biggest trade asset is a player the Jazz may have no interest in after selecting two guards in the draft.
Detroit Pistons trade rumors: Jaden Ivey to the Jazz isn’t a fit
Of the young players that could be moved in a trade, Jaden Ivey seems the most likely, as he is eligible for an extension the Pistons aren’t comfortable giving him yet, and still has to prove he’s a long-term fit with Cade Cunningham after missing most of last season.
Ivey will get time to come back next year and prove he’s the long-term backcourt mate of Cunningham, but if he doesn’t, we’ll be hearing his name a lot at the trade deadline.
Markkanen’s name will also be all over the trade rumors, and before this summer, there might have been a match for the Pistons to send Tobias Harris, Ivey and a bunch of picks to Utah in exchange.
When the Collin Sexton rumors heated up (the Jazz got absolutely fleeced in that deal by the way), my ears did perk, as the Jazz would have been left with precious little depth or young talent at guard.
But then Utah drafted two guards in the first round, so it didn’t matter much when they traded Sexton.
It’s hard to imagine the Pistons trading Ausar Thompson under any circumstances, so if Ivey is less attractive to the Jazz, then they are left with Ron Holland and Jalen Duren as possible young talents, and it’s difficult to envision either of those players being enough to tempt Utah.
I don’t want to dampen excitement for the possibility of adding an elite power forward (albeit one who is always injured and is owed a ton of money), but there are fit issues that could prevent the Pistons from making an offer that would interest the Jazz.