After making the playoffs for the first time since 2019 last season, the Detroit Pistons are expected to continie to imporve. The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers seem to be the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference, although with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers battling injuries to stars, there is room for Detroit to make a run.
Between young All-Star Cade Cunningham, electric forward Ausar Thompson, and new additions of Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert, the Pistons have the talent to win their first playoff series in 19 years.
However, that is not to say that they are perfect. Last season, they were below average in both 3-point attempts and percentage, and that was before they lost Malik Beasley. While promising, they have an uphill battle in front of them, although one expert linked them to one of the best offensive players in the entire league.
Pistons Linked to Lauri Markkanen in NBA Trade Speculation
Ever since it became apparent that the Utah Jazz have no interest in winning games and are tanking for draft picks, Lauri Markkanen has been one of the hottest names on the trade rumor mill.
In his three seasons with the Jazz, he has averaged 23 points on 38% shooting from deep to go with 7.7 rebounds per game. The Jazz signed him to a deal through 2028-29, and while he might be overpaid, he is incredibly talented and would fit well next to Cunningham.
“He’s an easy fit anywhere,” praised Zach Lowe on his self-titled podcast. “He was just destroying people in EuroBasket. But the Detroit Pistons might be my favorite Lauri Markkanen team, and you can tee it up.
In nine games with Finland this summer, Markkanen averaged a stellar 23.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He fell just short of the All-Star Five team, although he led his country to a solid fourth-place finish.
Mock Trade Sends Markkanen to Detroit
In Detroit, it’s safe to assume tha Cunningham, Thompson, and Ron Holland are all untouchable and will be building blocks moving forward. The Jazz are in the midst of a long rebuild and likely value picks more than young players, although the Pistons have plenty of both.
Lowe suggested that the Pistons could include Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey, both of whom are on expiring contracts, and a player like Bobi Klintman could be tossed in to balance salaries. On top of that, Detroit has up to seven first-round picks that they can trade or swap, and it stands to reason that Danny Ainge will be shrewd in any negotiations.
Neither Thompson nor Holland is a shooting threat, although both are stellar athletes and high-level defenders. A lineup of Cunningham running the floor with Holland, Thompson, and Markkanen on the wings, with Jalen Duren protecting the rim, should be enough for the Pistons to compete for the Eastern Conference title, and depth pieces like Marcus Sasser, Isaiah Stewart, LeVert, and Robinson would still be on the roster.
When the Orlando Magic swung a blockbuster deal for Desmond Bane, they made it clear that the East is wide open and they plan to capizlize on it. With a young All-Star leading the way, the Pistons are in a similar boat and could make a massive move.
Proposed Trade Lands Pistons ‘Perfect’ Running Mate for Cade Cunningham