The Detroit Pistons turned heads with their biggest leap in the 2024-25 season, but they may not be done yet. Fresh off a 44-win season and a surprising playoff push that stretched to six games against the New York Knicks in round 1, Detroit is now being linked to a blockbuster move that could take them from a rising franchise to a full-blown contender.
According to PFSN’s analyst Brandon Austin, the Pistons could be targeting the Utah Jazz superstar in a major trade that might reshape the Eastern Conference pecking order.
Lauri Markkanen on Detroit’s Radar As Jazz Enter Rebuild
The Pistons are reportedly exploring a deal that would bring Lauri Markkanen and Isaiah Collier to Detroit in exchange for Tobias Harris, Simone Fontecchio, Marcus Sasser, and a pair of picks, including a 2025 second-rounder and a 2026 first-round selection.
Austin, in his analysis for PFSN’s NBA section, broke down why the trade could make sense for both sides.
“Lauri Markkanen makes sense for a few reasons, including the fact that the Utah Jazz are in a full rebuild. Utah lost more than 60 games for the first time in franchise history this season. They could be interested in flipping Markkanen for some combination of high-upside players and draft capital.”
That potential pivot in Utah opens the door for Detroit, which now finds itself with an ideal opportunity — one bold move away from contention.
There’s a belief around the league that the Jazz are open to listening to trade offers for Lauri Markkanen, per @BillSimmons
(h/t @esidery ) pic.twitter.com/YdhGZGpoxv
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 9, 2025
The Pistons, with a 115 offensive rating, ranked 16th in offensive efficiency, according to Statmuse. Austin believes Markkanen’s scoring skill set could unlock a new gear:
“To make a deep playoff run, the Pistons need to add more offensive firepower… If they can retain Malik Beasley, who will be a free agent this summer, Markkanen would give them two legitimate floor spacers. Detroit would likely have to go heavier on draft capital to protect most of its young core, but this is a move that would elevate the squad heading into next season.”
Could Markkanen Fit With Pistons’ Core?
Markkanen, who signed a 4 year, $195,868,144 contract with the Utah Jazz, brings more than just spacing. At 7 feet tall, he can stretch the floor with high-volume 3-pointers, score off the dribble, cut to the basket, and screen effectively. His presence could create better looks for Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson, both of whom thrive when lanes are clear and spacing is reliable.
Even when he’s not touching the ball, Markkanen draws defenders with his movement. That kind of gravity can unlock the half-court offense for a team that struggled to close games down the stretch. Cunningham would benefit from having a reliable second-scoring option, and someone like Thompson would get more room to slash and finish.
If Harris remains with the team, he will provide additional size and experience, but in this proposed trade, he heads out, meaning Markkanen would slide in as the team’s second option behind Cunningham.
There is, however, a red flag:
“Markkanen dealt with a lingering lower back injury in 2024, limiting him to just 47 games. He continued to flex his scoring ability when on the floor, averaging 19.0 points on the year. However, his efficiency dipped, shooting 42.3% from the field and 34.6% from deep. The situation in Detroit is drastically different from Utah, so a change of scenery could help Markkanen regain form.”
The numbers dipped, but the potential remains. In a more balanced system with one of the NBA’s brightest young guards beside him, Markkanen could easily bounce back and become a crucial piece for a Pistons playoff run.
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As for the 2025 NBA Draft, the Pistons hold the 37th pick (if they don’t swap it with the Jazz for the Markkanen trade ). That slot isn’t likely to land them a co-star for Cunningham, but it could still be useful. A player like Micah Peavy – a long, athletic, 6’7″ wing could provide toughness and defensive versatility off the bench, helping the Pistons bolster its rotation around a reshaped core.