Even though the Utah Jazz have made it clear Lauri Markkanen is staying put for the time being, because he's an All-Star veteran on a roster surrounded by young talent, there will still be trade proposals galore revoling around him. This time, it's the Detroit Pistons, and while he'd be perfect for them, the deal is far from perfect for Utah.
This isn't the first time that a potential Markkanen to Detroit idea has been floated. It's not even the second. Nonetheless, Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz outlined the following deal between the Jazz and Pistons.
Pistons receive: Markkanen
Jazz receive: Marcus Sasser, Ron Holland, Tobias Harris, 2026 Pistons first-round pick (unprotected), 2028 first round-pick (unprotected)
While the reason for Detroit to want Markkanen is obvious, Swartz explained why the Jazz would trade Markkanen.
"Trading Markkanen, the team's best player, is essentially guaranteeing Utah its 2026 pick in a draft that will feature BYU star freshman A.J. Dybantsa. The Jazz also get two unprotected first rounders from the Detroit Pistons starting next summer," Swartz wrote.
He also explained why Holland would appeal to the Jazz.
"Holland was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 draft and has apparently put on 15 pounds of muscle this offseason. His playing time was limited as a rookie, but he balled out at Summer League, averaging 21.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals while shooting 46.7 percent from three. He could join Ace Bailey as the forwards of the future in Utah."
And then he concluded by explaining why the Jazz would want someone like Sasser.
"Sasser, 24, gives the Jazz another young guard with upside and minutes should be available after the team traded Collin Sexton to the Charlotte Hornets and agreed to a buyout with Jordan Clarkson."
While he also explained why Harris would appeal to the Jazz, it's not important because he would be included strictly for salary purposes.
Refuting all those points in this trade
1. Trading Markkanen would give them a better chance at a high pick
That is technically true on paper, but that was already true whether Markkanen is on the team or not. Utah will be one of the NBA's worst teams no matter what happens with Markkanen. He could put up his best season as a Jazzman, and it's not going to matter. They will still stink anyway.
So there's no point in further ensuring something will happen if the Jazz have already done everything to ensure that it's happened.
2. Holland could be a forward of the future for the Jazz
It's very possible that Holland could be someone special, but he didn't prove much more than Cody Williams, who had one of the worst rookie seasons ever. Banking on that Holland could be really good is a big gamble when trafing someone like Markkanen, who is really good.
It's not that Holland wouldn't be intriguing. It's that his potential wouldn't be worth trading Markkanen for.
3. Sasser could be a good addition to a young Jazz backcourt
It is true that the Jazz opened up some minutes for their backcourt, but this season, it's going to be about seeing which of the trio of Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, and Walter Clayton Jr. should be keepers. Adding another one to that group makes things complicated.
If the Jazz wanted to take a flyer on a young guard with potential, they would have just kept Jaden Springer. That's why it's hard to see them adding Sasser, especially in a trade for Markkanen.
And yes, the Jazz get two unprotected first-round picks for their troubles, but they are making Detroit a contender with this trade, so how much value are they getting from assets like those?
This isn't a bad trade. it's just not one that Utah would really talk themselves into. Especially not after how dominant Markkanen has looked in EuroBasket.
Grade: C+