Sep 26, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon during a press conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Media Day from the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Bill Simmons Weighs in On 'Logical' Pistons Trade Target

Originally posted on Detroit Pistons on SI
By Kevin McCormick | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 12:31 PM ET

During his media day press conference, Trajan Langdon dove more into his offseason approach with the Detroit Pistons. While he's made his intentions clear, it didn't stop one analyst from giving his thoughts on the team going big-game hunting in the trade market.

The 2025 season was a historic one for the Pistons, as they managed to drastically alter the trajectory of the franchise. Led by an All-NBA season from Cade Cunningham, Detroit managed to triple its win total and secure a postseason berth for the first time since 2019.

Following all their success, many clamored for the Pistons to go out and make a big move this summer. However, Langdon didn't see it that way. He is still a firm believer in the roster's young core and wants to see how much they can grow together before making any drastic alterations.

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Throughout the summer, countless names were thrown around as possible players for the Pistons to target via trade or free agency. Among those most commonly brought up was former All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen.

Seeing that the Utah Jazz are gearing up for a youth movement, them parting with their older star seems like a logical outcome.

During the latest episode of his podcast, Bill Simmons touched on the idea of Detroit pursuing Markkanen. Given his set of skills, he feels it's a no-brainer for the Pistons to pair him with Cunningham as he gets ready to enter his prime.

"It's the most logical trade of the year," Simmons said of the Pistons pursuing Markkanen. "He can shoot, he can space and shoot, he can roll to the rim on anything. It feels to me like him and Cade would be perfect together."

“It’s the most logical trade of the year … him and Cade would be perfect together.”

Bill Simmons on Lauri Markkanen.

(via The Bill Simmons Podcast) pic.twitter.com/623DQUz2t8
— Pistons Jack (@pistons_jack) October 1, 2025

Although he's coming off a down year, Markkanen is still a player who makes a lot of sense for the Pistons. Two years removed from averaging over 25 PPG, he can provide the reliable scoring Detroit needs alongside Cunningham if Detroit is going to compete at the highest level.

Simmons might feel this trade needs to get done, but it doesn't look like it will be happening anytime soon. With some playoff experience and another summer of training under their belt, the Pistons are eager to see how far their core can take them as currently constructed.

This article first appeared on Detroit Pistons on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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