The Detroit Pistons have taken the NBA by storm.
Through a dozen games, the Pistons have a record of 10-2 and are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. There are plenty of players on Detroit’s roster deserving of credit, but none more so than guard Cade Cunningham. He is averaging 27.5 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds on 43.6% shooting.
The Pistons could form an electrifying duo with Cunningham by trading for a Western Conference All-Star.
Pistons Predicted To Trade for Lauri Markkanen
The Utah Jazz are clearly in need of a full-fledged rebuild but continue to hang onto All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen. To be fair, Markkanen signed a four-year, $195 million contract extension with the Jazz, so he doesn’t appear overly concerned with winning games.
Still, the Jazz should look to move Markkanen in hopes of landing a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. PFSN’s Noah Rubin predicts the Pistons could trade for Markkanen to secure their standing in the Eastern Conference. The proposed trade details are seen below:
Pistons receive: Lauri Markkanen
Jazz receive: Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, 2026 unprotected first-round pick, 2027 pick swap, 2028 unprotected first-round pick
“Taking a swing on Lauri Markkanen, even if it requires them to dip into their draft capital, is a move that will push them to the next level,” Rubin wrote.
Markkanen is thriving in Utah this season, averaging 28.3 points and 6 rebounds on 46.8% shooting and 38.1% from three-point range. Cunningham having the ability to dish out to a forward like Markkanen will only make him more dangerous offensively. The 28-year-old won’t offer much defensively, but Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, and others are holding down that end of the floor.
“In previous seasons, the Jazz waited too long to move Markkanen,” Rubin stated. “He had a rough 2024-25 season, which brought his trade value down. He has bounced back to start this season, but this team isn’t ready to push for the playoffs. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson are solid veterans, but the draft picks are really what they’re after.”
Harris and Robinson will certainly be positive contributors for the Jazz, but won’t keep them afloat the way Markkanen can.
