The Detroit Pistons are shaking things up by trading guard Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls in a deal that also includes the Minnesota Timberwolves. This move, first reported by Shams Charania from ESPN, is part of a larger three-team trade.
In this trade, the Pistons will send Ivey to Chicago while the Timberwolves are trading Mike Conley to the Bulls. Chicago will send Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to Detroit. Additionally, the Pistons will receive a protected first-round pick swap from Minnesota for 2026.
At just 24, Ivey was a standout, drafted fifth overall in 2022. He played well in Detroit, averaging 16.1 points and 4.4 assists over three seasons. However, after a leg injury cut his previous season short, he has struggled to find his footing this year, averaging only 8.2 points in limited minutes.
With Ivey’s potential as a restricted free agent on the horizon, the Pistons seem to feel he doesn’t fit into their long-term plans. Reports indicate they had received several offers for him recently. The Bulls, on the other hand, are building a deeper backcourt that already includes players like Josh Giddey and Coby White.
The addition of Ivey opens the door for possible trades involving Chicago’s current guards. They will now have his Bird rights, which gives them an edge when negotiating a new contract for him this July.
Meanwhile, the Pistons look to fill a gap in their offense. They have struggled with three-point shooting this season, ranking 27th in the league for makes per game and 21st in shooting percentage. Huerter, who has had a rough start this season making only 31.4% of his three-point attempts, has historically been more reliable, shooting a career average of 37.5%. A fresh start in Detroit might help him regain his form.
The Timberwolves are also making a strategic move. By trading Conley, they’re looking to shed salary. This trade decreases their tax bill significantly, freeing up some budget flexibility. Reports suggest that this could set them up for future trades or even a bigger move for a star player like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Currently, it’s unclear what the Timberwolves will receive in this trade—perhaps some small assets like cash or a future pick.
Overall, the trade reflects a strategic pivot for all teams involved, especially as they prepare for the approaching deadline and think about their future lineups.
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dario saric,jaden ivey,kevin huerter,mike conley
