The Detroit Pistons are within the midst of one of the crucial beautiful turnarounds in NBA historical past. Simply two seasons in the past, they have been dropping 28 video games in a row, and having one of many worst years in franchise historical past. Final season, they made the playoffs, and pushed the Knicks to 6 video games within the first spherical.
Now, the Pistons are the primary seed within the East with a 24-7 file, and have dominated their convention foes with a 17-5 file. Cade Cunningham is enjoying like an MVP candidate, Jalen Duren has change into one of many NBA’s most dominant bodily forces, and Detroit’s supporting forged of Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, and Isaiah Stewart play with such a high-level of nastiness defensively that suffocates opponents.
Even with all of their success, the Pistons will not be with out flaws. They’re twenty seventh in three-point makes, twenty second in proportion, and twenty seventh in makes an attempt. That sort of low-volume taking pictures might doom them come playoff time. Buying this former All-Star ought to be on the prime of Detroit’s vacation wishlist.
The Pistons should go all-in to amass Lauri Markkanen
After a down taking pictures yr final season, Markkanen has bounced again. He’s averaging practically 28 factors per sport, which might be a career-high on 47 % taking pictures, and 35 % from three-point vary. He’s additionally flattening 36 % of open or large open threes in line with NBA.com monitoring knowledge.
Markkanen’s greatest potential is having the ability to rating with out the ball. He is among the higher off-ball movers within the league, and having somebody like that subsequent to Cunningham will open up the ground for the whole Pistons offense.
His presence would additionally deter groups from loading up on Detroit within the paint. To ensure that Cunningham to thrive, the ground must be spaced. That’s how the Pistons offense was capable of succeed final yr due to Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. With each of them gone now, Detroit hasn’t been capable of replicate that very same spacing. Getting Markkanen would assist resolve that downside.
Markkanen would make the Pistons a real contender
The argument will be made that Detroit is already a contender. They’ve one of many league’s elite defenses, they usually have the celebrity in Cunningham. Buying Markkanen although would put them excessive and forestall their taking pictures weak spot from being uncovered.
The Pistons have the pliability and belongings to make this transfer occur. Utah will command a excessive worth for the All-Star ahead, however it’s a worth that Detroit ought to be prepared to pay.
