A four-player NBA trade idea sending Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz to the Detroit Pistons has been created.
NBA writer Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea:
Detroit Pistons receive: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz receive: Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland III, 2030 first-round pick and 2032 first-round pick
Markkanen is making $46.4 million this season. The Pistons have the top record in the Eastern Conference, so they don’t have to make a blockbuster trade.
However, Detroit would become more lethal on both ends of the floor by acquiring Markkanen, one of the top two-way players in the NBA.
A one-time All-Star, Markkanen is averaging 27.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game this season while shooting 47.1% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc and 89.7% from the free-throw line. He’s an elite three-level scorer who would take offensive pressure off of Pistons star point guard Cade Cunningham.
“Markkanen would be an all-caps AWESOME fit,” Buckley wrote. “He could expand the offensive menu, dramatically improve the spacing and take some heat off of Cunningham’s shoulders without costing the club anything in terms of length or much in the way of disruption and general defensive resistance.”
The Jazz are not looking to trade Markkanen, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. Markkanen doesn’t have a no-trade clause, so he can’t force his way out of Utah.
By all indications, Markkanen enjoys playing for the Jazz even though the franchise hasn’t made the playoffs with him.
Markkanen has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. He’s never been to the playoffs, which is why many NBA fans want to see the talented power forward on a winning team.
Markkanen holds career averages of 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game. He won the 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with the Jazz.