Pistons Trade Proposal Lands Dynamic Offensive Player

The Detroit Pistons have been one of the big surprises in the NBA so far this season. They are at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. It’s something that no one expected to happen, even though Detroit had a strong playoff showing a year ago against the Knicks.

Defensively, the Pistons own the second-best defense in the league. Detroit is a team that still needs to be better on the offensive side of the ball. They still own a top-10 offense, but they could use some firepower at the wing spot, especially when it comes to scoring the ball.

One trade proposal from Bleacher Report would have the Pistons adding a wing who can both make 3s and protect the rim. They have the Pistons adding Lauri Markkanen in a massive trade.

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Trade Proposal has Pistons Adding Lauri Markkanen

Here is the full trade proposal:

Detroit Pistons receive: Lauri Markkanen

Utah Jazz receive: Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland III, 2030 first-round pick, and 2032 first-round pick

Detroit has the assets to land a player like Markkanen. Adding two first-round picks would hurt a bit, but adding someone with the skillset of Markkanen would increase their ceiling as title contenders. The question is whether or not the Pistons believe they have to trade for Markkanen.

With how well the team is playing right now, they might not believe that they have to upend their team in order to win the Eastern Conference. No one is playing more consistent basketball than the Pistons, especially on the defensive end.

Right now, Detroit has a three-game lead on second place in the East. Part of the reason why they have that lead is because of the depth they have developed. Bringing Markkanen in would help them add rebounding, shooting, and length on the perimeter.

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The Pistons Could Add a Player at the Trade Deadline

Adding a player at the trade deadline would only happen if the Pistons go all-in on this year. That would mean adding a player of Markkanen’s ilk. It wouldn’t make much sense for them to cash in their trade chips for a player at a lower level than Markkanen.

There are some other wings that the Pistons could go after. Giannis Antetokounmpo would be the biggest all-in move that they could make, but it’s still unclear if the Bucks are going to move him. Anthony Davis has been mentioned as a possible player in Detroit, but he doesn’t make as much sense.

With Jalen Duren playing at an All-Star level, Davis wouldn’t be able to play at his most effective position. Davis is better at the center spot than he is at power forward, even if Davis prefers to play power forward. The Pistons know this, as well.

Detroit might not make a move at the trade deadline unless a team behind them in the standings makes a big move.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano