Since returning from arthroscopic knee surgery at the start of the season, Pistons guard Jaden Ivey has been on a minutes restriction– up until now.

One day before Detroit plays host to the Los Angeles Clippers (13-23) for a 7 pm contest tomorrow, Ivey revealed that he is no longer limited in terms of playing time after rehabbing from his knee procedure, so he’s fully cleared to play as Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff sees fit. 

“Anytime bodies go down, the opportunity presents itself, we will always make sure to put JI in a position that he’s comfortable first, then I have to make decisions with how that looks and rotations compared to other guys,” Bickerstaff said. “But we know what JI is capable of and when he’s out there playing at his best and playing confident basketball, we know how impactful he can be.”

But since returning to the court, Ivey had yet to start for the Pistons until the team’s most recent game, a 15-point victory over the Chicago Bulls. Opening the game as Detroit’s starting point guard with Cade Cunningham out due to injury, Ivey ran the Pistons’ offense in the first half, but his minutes dropped considerably after halftime.

In truth, the Pistons were finding success with Daniss Jenkins running the offense, and the second-year guard who’s still on a two-way contract fished out 15 assists and helped lead Detroit to a comeback victory against Chicago. In that instance, Bickerstaff rode the hot hand in the second half of a close game, and Ivey took a backseat role, finishing with just eight points, four assists and three rebounds in 20 minutes on the floor. 

So, the Pistons tried to use Ivey as an impromptu starting point guard and had to course correct mid-game, and the explosive fourth-year player out of Purdue is yet to knock Duncan Robinson out of Detroit’s starting lineup at the two spot this season, which begs the question of what role Ivey serves on the Pistons from a long-term perspective. 

Back in October, Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon was unable to reach a contract extension agreement with Ivey before the Oct. 20 deadline, so he’s currently slated to enter the offseason as a restricted free agent once Detroit extends a qualifying offer. That move essentially indicated that the Pistons were not sold on Ivey’s growth, and his performance this season has likely not swayed that position. 

READ MORE: Bickerstaff: Pistons Defense The 'Catalyst' In 15-Point Win Over Chicago Bulls

Now, the Pistons have about four weeks until the NBA’s trade deadline arrives, and it would serve the Detroit organization to give Ivey some consistent minutes over the team’s next 10 games in hopes of showcasing his three-point shot and plus-athleticism. If Ivey can find his groove, that would increase the Pistons’ leverage in a potential trade as well, so now is the time to give Ivey a chance to break out with Cunningham still on the shelf– for now. 

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