The Utah Jazz have been pleasantly surprised at Lauri Markkanen playing the best basketball of his career this season. Markkanen already established himself as a star due to past seasons, but he looks like an All-NBA player during this year’s campaign. Averages of 29.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game make Markkanen an interesting trade asset on the market heading into the deadline.
One team rumored to make sense for Markkanen is the Detroit Pistons. Cade Cunningham has led Detroit to the best record in the Eastern Conference so far at 15-2. However, most pundits agree that they need one more All-Star caliber player before they can truly contend for an NBA Championship in the current landscape.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Markkanen could be acquired by the Pistons if they desire him, but it would cost one massive piece. Utah’s asking price would start with young star Ausar Thompson since they view him as one of the building blocks that the franchise can build around. Detroit must part with one of their most important players to acquire a certain All-Star talent.
Would Detroit Trade For Lauri Markkanen?
Jazz General Manager Danny Ainge is often considered a shrewd executive known for ripping off other teams. Fans still talk about Ainge getting both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for the Boston Celtics when trading the older Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Boston won another NBA Championship with a chance for more with this duo, thanks to Ainge’s insight and demands.
Detroit doesn’t seem likely to give Utah what they desire. Fischer claims that the Pistons would flat out refuse to move Thompson in a deal for Markkanen and most other stars. A true game changing superstar is needed if the team even considers moving Thompson. However, it remains unlikely they’ll move a young rising star in any context during a great season.
The 22-year-old has shown improvement through each of his three seasons so far. Even though his brother Amen Thompson has the higher potential for the Houston Rockets, Ausar has strong potential as well. Detroit is not looking to move someone with a high upside before they realize exactly how high that ceiling is.
Other Trade Options For Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen’s epic start to the season could see Utah go one of two drastically different ways. The franchise can trade him at his highest value to acquire more young assets and draft picks. Jazz management could also choose to commit to Markkanen and make him the face of the franchise to keep, with Ace Bailey and future young pieces joining him as the core.
If Utah puts Markkanen on the market, Sports Illustrated named the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers as realistic suitors. The Lakers would have to accept they won’t re-sign Austin Reaves on a big free agent contract and move him via a three-team deal to acquire Markkanen.
Portland has a lot of movable players, but they’d have to part ways with multiple assets to sacrifice their future. Markkanen is not good enough to make them a contender, so that seems like a waste of time. No obvious deal on the market means that Markkanen may ride out the year and longer as the Jazz’s top player.
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