Jaden Ivey is on the move. The former Detroit Piston is headed to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade that also brings Mike Conley Jr. to Chicago and sends Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to Detroit.
The Minnesota Timberwolves made the three-team deal to clear cap space, perhaps targeting a bigger move, while the Bulls gain a potential starting guard, and the Pistons acquire a floor-spacer to boost their struggling three-point game.
Chicago likely made this move and is a subsequent one, knowing that starting shooting guard Coby White could depart in the offseason—or be traded in the coming days. As it stands, the Bulls’ roster is loaded with guards but thin in the frontcourt.
Nonetheless, amid a period of shake-ups, Ivey is likely here to stay. The 23-year-old guard is up for a new contract, but unlike White, he will be a restricted free agent, meaning Chicago can match any offer he receives. So even though the former Purdue Boilermaker will hit free agency, he is expected to remain with the Bulls for at least another season, whether on a qualifying offer or a new contract.
Ivey’s No. 23 quip sparks jersey-number intrigue
In the interim, Ivey appears more concerned with a pressing matter—one that needs an immediate answer: what number will he wear now that he’s in Chicago?
Is the #23 taken on the Bulls? 😂 🐐
Need a new number!
— Jaden Ivey (@JadensIV) February 3, 2026
Following the trade, the former Piston playfully posted on X, "Is #23 taken on the Bulls?" along with a crying-laughter emoji and a goat emoji in a nod to Michael Jordan.
Ivey has worn No. 23 dating back to his days at Purdue, sporting the number for two seasons in West Lafayette. After being drafted by Detroit, he continued to wear No. 23, but that will now have to change. While the number isn’t retired league-wide like Bill Russell’s No. 6, it is, of course, retired in Chicago and also in Miami.
In high school, Ivey wore No. 13 at Marian before switching to No. 5 after transferring to La Lumiere for his senior season. As it stands, both numbers are available in Chicago, with neither currently worn nor retired by the franchise.
So, Ivey has options. But one thing is for certain: the 23-year-old guard won’t be able to continue wearing his jersey of choice from college or his NBA career. Conveniently for Ivey, both No. 5 and No. 13 have opened up, with Jevon Carter being released and Kevin Huerter traded. Even though he’s losing No. 23, he’ll still be able to choose a number he previously wore.