Yesterday marked the most active day on the trade market for the NBA this season, and the Detroit Pistons had a seat at the table for the transaction-filled afternoon. Heading into the Trade Deadline, Detroit could benefit from an influx of perimeter shooting ability or a secondary scorer who can take the offensive load off of Cade Cunningham– ideally, the Pistons’ trade target would fit both requirements. 

So when the Pistons struck a three-team deal to send Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric plus a first-round pick swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves, some Detroit fans were left wondering how that trade addressed the team’s current needs. 

Here’s what to expect from Huerter once he suits up for the Detroit Pistons as soon as tomorrow night against the Washington Wizards, who coincidentally just landed Anthony Davis by way of their own trade exploits. 

Over the course of his eight-year career, Huerter has positioned himself as a premier three-point shooter at just under 38% over that timespan. This season, the Pistons are currently hitting long-range shots at 35% on the season, which ranks No. 20 in the NBA.

Based on his career averages, Huerter would raise Detroit’s perimeter shooting ability, but his recent form suggests otherwise. 

This season with the Bulls, Huerter is connecting on just 31.4% of his attempts from behind the arc, but Chicago lacks a true playmaker at the level of Cade Cunningham to help set up open looks from outside. In Detroit, Huerter will be responsible for finishing off kick-outs after Cunningham drives to the paint, and he should benefit from playing alongside a pair of All-Stars with Jalen Duren commanding significant defensive attention in his own right. 

Huerter is far from a one-dimensional player, however, and he’s shown the ability to take players off the dribble and create shots on his own. Huerter can score at all three levels and can finish through contact, so Red Velvet, as he’s colloquially known, is dynamic with the ball in his hands and can even function as a secondary playmaker if called upon, though his strongest attribute would be his shooting ability. 

During an interview on the Boadroom a couple years ago, Kevin Durant took a moment to dish some praise on Huerter’s shooting ability, and if there’s anybody to trust about the merit of shooting the basketball, it’s Kevin Durant. Here’s what Durant had to say: 

“Kevin Huerter right now, he’s playing like Klay [and] Steph,” Durant said. “The way he’s coming off the hand-offs and shooting the basketball right now, if you’re not a basketball fan and locked in on the league, you’ve got to watch the way Kevin Huerter is shooting this ball right now.” 

As Durant mentioned, Huerter is dangerous coming off dribble hand-offs as well, and that’s a common action in the Pistons’ offensive attack. Duncan Robinson has benefited from these types of plays, and Huerter offers a similar profile as a reliable shooter who is savvy with the basketball when pressured. 

Now, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has implemented a rigid standard on defense making it difficult, if not impossible, to crack the Detroit lineup without playing aggressive defense. This will not be a problem for Huerter who grades out as a solid on-ball defender with above average rebounding ability for a wing player. 

Falling in line with the Pistons’ penchant for tight defense, Detroit has developed a gritty, physical identity over the past one and a half seasons under Bickerstaff. In particular, the Pistons have significant bad blood with the New York Knicks, but Huerter knows how to play with a chip on his shoulder. In fact, the veteran wing did just that in his first rematch with the Sacramento Kings after he was traded to the Chicago Bulls, showing that Huerter relishes the opportunity to prove doubters wrong. 

When taking into account what Huerter offers, the Pistons were able to pick up a valuable shooter who is familiar with the intensity of playoff basketball. Unfortunately, Ivey never had the opportunity to show that quality while in the Motor City. Huerter, on the other hand, put up 27 points (10/18 FGs), seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals for the Hawks back in 2021, so he's no stranger to intense moments. 

Huerter already suited up for practice with the Pistons earlier today, so the possibility exists that he could be active and ready to go for tomorrow night's game against the Washington Wizards. 

For more information on the latest Detroit Pistons team or player news, follow @EricJRutter on X for continued basketball coverage. Also be sure to look up Roundtable - Michigan Men Media on Facebook for continued social media coverage of all the sporting teams in the Mitten.