At the midway point of the season, the Detroit Pistons look like a great bet to finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference. With a 4.5-game lead over the second-seeded Boston Celtics, the expectations are sky high in Detroit. Understandably, however, a contingent of Pistons fans is hoping for a big move at the Feb. 5 trade deadline that could catapult them into true championship contender status.
So far, the Pistons front office has signaled a lack of desire to shake things up. Their hesitation to mess with the core of this roster, in an effort to preserve team chemistry that has produced a ton of success, is understandable. At the same time, Detroit has an excellent opportunity to win the East and make the NBA Finals, and that requires a bold move for a second star next to Cade Cunningham.
Pistons Should Inquire About Lauri Markkanen's Availability
Among the list of feasible trade targets, Lauri Markkanen is the best fit in the Motor City. Not only is he an elite shooter, providing much-needed spacing to the offense, but Markkanen is also an efficient scorer on self-created shots. He can get buckets in a multitude of ways, which would get some pressure off Cunningham in the half-court. Defensively, he is not elite, but he has enough versatility to guard multiple positions. He would certainly not be a weak link thanks to his size, length, and mobility. Plus, he fits Detroit's timeline and could be the starting power forward for a long time.
Because of his excellent fit, Markkanen would also cost the Pistons a ton in terms of outgoing assets. A potential scenario would have Detroit giving up Tobias Harris, Caris LeVert, and Jaden Ivey to match salaries, while also including three first-round draft picks.
The details of the package could change. The Pistons could include Duncan Robinson, Ron Holland, or Ausar Thompson in the trade as well, as much as the inclusion of the last two would hurt. That could change the number of draft picks or protections on the picks going Utah's way, but this type of framework could be a win-win scenario for both sides.
The Jazz have not sounded very enthusiastic to trade Markkanen so far, but they may have no choice. Utah's own 2026 first-round pick is top-eight protected; they have every incentive in the world to have as bad a record as possible the rest of the way this season to keep its pick. At 14-27, they have already won too many games for their comfort, because Markkanen has been too good for Utah to properly tank.
If the Pistons bowl them over with a trade package full of intriguing future assets, the Jazz will have no choice but to give it serious consideration. It would behoove Detroit GM Trajan Langdon to try to make the deal work, as it would firmly establish the Pistons as the favorites in the East.