The Detroit Pistons made their first trade of the season on Tuesday. [ESPN's Shams Charania](https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2018767638386663838) reported that the Pistons were sending Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team trade for Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric, and a 2026 first-round pick swap from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Ivey was [expected to be on the move before the trade deadline](https://detroitjockcity.com/4-biggest-pistons-needs-heading-nba-trade-deadline-01kgfwnbpa9j), the return for the Pistons may have raised some eyebrows in Detroit.
Pistons Trade Jaden Ivey to Bulls to Add More Shooting
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The Pistons seemingly prioritized cap space and financial flexibility in this deal, while adding a capable shooter to help solve a glaring weakness. Huerter is on the books for $17.9 million, and Saric will make $5.4 million. Both players are on expiring contracts, meaning that the Pistons aren't taking any long-term salary.
This will give Detroit more optionality in the offseason. Instead of giving Ivey a lucrative, multi-year deal, the Pistons can now be active in free agency, even after paying Jalen Duren a near-max contract. Detroit should have more cap room to sign Tobias Harris and Duren to new deals. If Huerter gives them what they are looking for in the final stretch of the season, the Pistons can also consider re-signing him over the summer.
Huerter's role on the team and future in Detroit will depend on how often his shot is falling. After being one of the NBA's better shooters in the early stages of his career, Huerter's accuracy has declined in recent years. This season, he has only made 31.4 percent of his 3-pointers on 5.1 attempts per game. Unfortunately, this is a bit of a trend as Huerter shot an equally disappointing 33.8 percent from downtown last season.
On paper, Huerter is the type of versatile shooter the Pistons need around Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. He can also do more with the ball in his hands than most shooters. He can dribble and pass the ball enough to keep the offense moving. During his four seasons with the Hawks, he averaged 3.2 assists in less than 30 minutes per game.
If he can rediscover his shooting form, Huerter can be a long-term rotation piece for the Pistons. If he can't, Detroit can let him find employment elsewhere during the offseason.
Saric isn't expected to be part of the rotation in Detroit, as he has taken a large step back in the last two years. During his prime, he was a solid passer and capable of scoring, but he is nothing more than a salary filler in this trade.
Pistons fans would understandably be disappointed they weren't able to get more draft capital for Ivey, but a pick swap with Minnesota could still help them go up the draft board. The Timberwolves will surely make the playoffs and are on pace to win 50 games. Their first-round pick will likely be in the 20s as well. However, considering that the Pistons are on track to have the 29th-overall pick in the draft, they could benefit from being slotted a few spots higher.
At the end of the day, the Pistons likely didn't have many better offers for Ivey. The fact that the acquiring team would have to give Ivey an extension this offseason may have suppressed his trade market. The return is certainly nothing to write home about, but given that the Pistons had to trade Ivey now, it is an acceptable package.
### Grade: B-
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