The Detroit Pistons may not need to make a big trade after all
Even though the Detroit Pistons are the class of the Eastern Conference, holding a first place position at 21-5 in the regular season, the team could still use a reliable secondary scorer to emerge next to Cade Cunningham. That’s been the criticism of the Pistons for a couple years now, and it continues to this day despite Detroit’s rampant success so far.
At one time, the Pistons looked at guard Jaden Ivey as a young, explosive player to pair with Cunningham in the backcourt who can run the transition game, take a little bit of the playmaking load off Cade’s shoulders and convert outside shots at a high rate. On paper, Ivey checks all of those boxes, but the fourth-year guard hasn’t taken hold of the role that was once reserved for him.
After breaking his leg on Jan. 1 last season, Ivey began a long recovery that would sideline him for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign. Then after a lengthy rehab process, Ivey underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, setting his timeline back even further.
Now that Ivey has returned, the Pistons are still bringing him along slowly as his minutes restriction still seems to be in place. On a nightly basis, Ivey is averaging just eight points per game in about 15 minutes of game time, so Detroit is easing him back into the rotation while the Pistons continue to win games along the way.
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When healthy, Ivey has brought a level of quick-fire offense that the Pistons use to pick up points in bunches. He’s an active defender that can help Detroit force turnovers, which is an important part of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s gameplan that only serves to further the Pistons’ identity as a defense-first squad that loves to run on the fast break.
Ivey offers the exact profile that the Pistons are searching for as a speedy winger with strong perimeter shooting who can handle the ball and push the pace. The only issue is that he hasn’t been healthy enough to play like that same player lately.
With that under consideration, the Pistons are not backed into a corner where they will be rushed into making a decision. With President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon calling the shots, the Pistons have operated as a patient organization that values growth and development, and Langdon has shared as much during interviews this season. That measured, careful approach is one that lends itself to giving Ivey the time he needs to get back up to speed, and since the Pistons are winning right now, the club can afford to give the fourth-year guard that time.
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For now, Ivey has served as an offensive catalyst for the Pistons off the bench that helps steady the second unit, but the hope is that he can regain his starting spot over Duncan Robinson at some point this season. However, Robinson is one of the few knock-down outside shooters on Detroit’s team right now, shooting 40% from deep this season, but the veteran is typically a modest scorer who can help stretch the offense and hit catch-and-shoot kick-out shots.
Robinson has assumed that role like an expert, and Bickerstaff has selected the lethal shooter to start in every game that he’s been healthy for this season. So, Bickerstaff has found a starting five that he’s comfortable with, but the Pistons would benefit from a mid-season Ivey charge that forces the Pistons’ head coaching into making some difficult decisions.
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