The Chicago Bulls made waves at the trade deadline with a savvy move that brought Jaden Ivey to the Windy City. In a deal with the Detroit Pistons, the Bulls sent Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić packing, gaining the former fifth-overall pick, Ivey, in return. Though Mike Conley Jr. briefly landed in Chicago as part of the transaction, he was quickly rerouted to the Charlotte Hornets.
Acquiring Ivey is a big win for the Bulls. The 24-year-old guard showcased his potential in Detroit, averaging at least 15.4 points and 3.8 assists during his initial seasons. His promising start was interrupted by a leg fracture, but before that, he seemed like the ideal partner for Cade Cunningham.
However, as the Pistons surged from a 14-18 record to finish 44-38, Ivey found himself on the outside looking in. His minutes dwindled to just 16.8 per game upon his return from injury, prompting questions about his role and future in Detroit.
Now, Ivey finds himself in Chicago, a fresh setting that could reignite his career. Despite the challenges of a fractured leg and offseason knee surgery, neither injury should be seen as insurmountable. In fact, Chicago offers Ivey the chance to rediscover his pre-injury form, where he was putting up career-best numbers: 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 46.0% from the field and 40.9% from deep.
Trading Huerter for Ivey looks like a smart move for Chicago. While Huerter was a reliable reserve, his three-point shooting had taken a nosedive, hitting just 31.4% from beyond the arc before the trade and a mere 11.1% afterward in Detroit. The Bulls stand to benefit greatly if Ivey can tap into his potential.
Though Ivey's pre-All-Star break performance may not have turned heads, the stage is set for him to shine in the latter half of the season. With an expanded role and less pressure, he could very well be on the brink of playing his best basketball yet.