The Pistons shocked the NBA by trading Jaden Ivey to the Bulls in exchange for Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric and a pick swap. Ivey had found himself lost in the Pistons’ rotation as his fellow young stars have broken out. Although Ivey has struggled this season while recovering from injuries, fans never expected the Pistons to give up on him so early.
Jaden Ivey’s Pistons tenure ends on a somber note
Ivey had been rumored in trade packages for marquee targets like Michael Porter Jr or Lauri Markkanen throughout the season, but a more conservative move was always more likely. Still, many fans were holding on to the potential that Ivey has flashed in the past, especially last season before his injury.
Since being selected fifth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Ivey has had an up-and-down career with the Pistons. He’s put up big numbers on losing teams at times but rarely gotten the chance to contribute towards a winner. Unfortunately, his injuries slowed him down too much and the Pistons decided they couldn’t afford to wait on him any longer.
The return for Ivey has confused many Pistons fans, but it was a key move towards adding more depth at key positions. The Pistons were desperately lacking reliable shooters outside of Duncan Robinson, and now bring in Huerter - a career 37% shooter from 3. Saric also adds extra depth as a backup power forward, another spot where the Pistons needed more bodies.
Although it’s sad to see Ivey go after being such an integral part of the Pistons in past seasons, it’s a sensible decision considering his spot in the rotation this season. Ivey has been lost in the shuffle as a bench piece. Without exceptional shooting or defense, he’s failed to crack the starting lineup even after getting back to full health.
Between the Pistons’ depth and Ivey’s own flaws, he was never going to reach his full potential in Detroit. The trade gives him a change of scenery and a fresh new opportunity to prove himself. In Chicago, he can get more opportunities to grow with the ball in his hands and become a team’s shooting guard of the future.
Jaden Ivey had quickly become one of the Pistons’ most polarizing players this season with his injury status and looming restricted free agency. It’s not necessarily a surprise to see him get traded, but the way it happened certainly caught many fans off guard. The fanbase will stay divided over this shocking deal until either Ivey or the Pistons’ new additions prove themselves on their new teams.