Would Pistons Trade Ausar Thompson for Lauri Markkanen? Latest Update on NBA Rumors

The Utah Jazz "would almost certainly want" forward Ausar Thompson in return for trading 2022-23 All-Star Lauri Markkanen to the Detroit Pistons, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

Fischer reported the Pistons aren't itching to make a big midseason move to build on the success from their 14-2 start. On top of that, they have no plans to part with Thompson.

"There really isn't much trade chatter of any kind at the moment involving the unexpected leaders of the Eastern Conference," he reported Sunday.

Fischer went on to add that Markkanen has nonetheless been floated as an "ideal player" for Detroit.

The 7'0" forward is averaging 29.9 points and 6.1 rebounds, and he continues to be effective in spacing the floor (38.8 percent from three-point range). The Jazz are 5-10 and 11th in the West, so it makes sense they'd be ready to finally cash in on their biggest trade asset if they stay on their current trajectory.

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Thompson, 22, would be more on Utah's timeline than the 28-year-old Markkanen, and he has been on the team's radar since the 2023 NBA draft.

Per Fischer, the Jazz weighed trading up in order to get Thompson, who went fifth overall to the Pistons. They stayed put and selected Taylor Hendricks with the No. 9 pick.

Maybe another window to land Thompson will present itself to Utah.

For now, Detroit doesn't need to rush anything.

The third-year forward is signed through 2027 and will only be eligible for restricted free agency once his rookie deal expires. The Pistons will have matching rights on any outside offer sheet.

Beyond that, president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon shouldn't feel any significant pressure to make a win-now trade until he sees what the current core can achieve together.

Nobody would argue Detroit has already reached its ceiling after going 44-38 and losing in six games to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.

A consolidation trade is probably necessary at some point because Thompson, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren are all headed toward big paydays within the next few years. The Houston Rockets reached that stage this summer when they jettisoned Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in order to get Kevin Durant.

Waiting until at least the summer will help Langdon and the front office to identify which young stars are worth keeping around and where the Pistons most need reinforcements.