Just when the Detroit Pistons were about to embark on a promising campaign with serious postseason aspirations, they were dealt a devastating blow just days before their season opener. [ESPN's Shams Charania posted on X](https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1978914389211124166) on Thursday that Jaden Ivey underwent an arthroscopic procedure to relieve knee discomfort and "will be re-evaluated in four weeks."
This unfortunate development doesn't only come out of nowhere, but it also throws a wrench on the Pistons' plans to start the season. Ivey had worked hard for the last nine months after suffering a broken fibula on his left leg in January. He was expected to be ready for the start of the season and has been a full participant in training camp and preseason until this week. He had missed the last two preseason games after playing in the first one against the Grizzlies.
Caris LeVert Has the Most to Gain from Jaden Ivey's Absence
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With Ivey missing at least the first month of the season, the Pistons now have to find answers at the guard position. They were fine letting Dennis Schröder go in free agency as they had assumed that Ivey would take over as the backup point guard in addition to starting next to Cade Cunningham in the starting lineup. Now, the Pistons have to find more ballhandling, playmaking, and scoring to make up for Ivey's absence.
The player who needs to step up in this scenario is new Pistons addition Caris LeVert. The 31-year-old combo guard signed a two-year, $29 million deal with Detroit in the offseason after a very solid season off the bench for the Cavs and the Hawks last season. The Pistons were hoping that he would take on a similar role as the first guy off the bench, but LeVert now needs to take on a larger role for a team desperate for more offensive juice.
Earlier in his career, LeVert spent a lot of time as a primary ballhandler. During his time with the Nets and the Pacers, LeVert was an offensive initiator, running a lot of pick and roll, and setting himself and his teammates up. He has multiple seasons where he averaged over five assists per game. Shooting was one of his deficiencies earlier in his career, but is now a much improved marksman from downtown, having hit 37.3% of his 3-pointers last season. This will be key playing next to Cunningham.
LeVert has also turned himself into a very solid defender in recent years. If he continues to play at the level he has been over the last few years, he should be an upgrade over Ivey on that end of the floor.
Marcus Sasser and Daniss Jenkins are also [in line for an increased role](https://detroitjockcity.com/pistons-final-roster-spot-should-belong-to-underrated-guard-01k7kzya4856) to start the season, as at least one of them should be a part of the guard rotation now. Ausar Thompson will also get more reps as the primary ballhandler. The first few weeks of the season will be key for JB Bickerstaff to see who is doing the best job as the Robin to Cunningham's Batman on offense. Pistons fans have to hope that LeVert is up to that task.
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