The Chicago Bulls are shaking things up with a bold three-team trade, landing guard Jaden Ivey and veteran Mike Conley in a deal involving the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s a move that signals Chicago’s desire to recalibrate its backcourt with a mix of youth and experience - and potentially tap into some untapped upside.
Let’s start with Ivey. The Pistons took him fifth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft with hopes that his elite athleticism and scoring instincts would translate quickly.
And last season, it looked like they had something special. Ivey was in the middle of a breakout year, averaging 17.6 points per game while knocking down a career-best 40.9% from three - a massive leap for a player whose outside shot was considered a work in progress coming out of Purdue.
But then came the setback: a fractured left fibula that ended his season early.
This year, Ivey hasn’t looked quite the same. He’s averaging just 8.2 points in 16.8 minutes per game across 33 appearances - a significant dip from last year’s production.
Whether it’s lingering effects from the injury, a change in role, or simply a tough adjustment period, the Bulls are betting that a change of scenery - and a fresh opportunity - could reignite his development. At just 22 years old, there’s still a lot of room for growth.
Joining Ivey in Chicago is Mike Conley, the steady veteran who’s been a key presence for the Timberwolves in recent seasons. Conley’s role has shifted this year - he’s coming off the bench now - and his numbers reflect that change.
He’s posting career lows in points (4.4), assists (2.9), and minutes (18.5), but his value goes beyond the box score. The Bulls aren’t bringing him in to be a scorer; they’re bringing him in as a mentor, a floor general, and a calming presence for a team that’s trying to find its identity.
On Detroit’s end, the Pistons are adding Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric, along with a protected 2026 first-round pick swap from Minnesota. Huerter fills a clear need for Detroit: shooting.
The Pistons have struggled from deep all season, ranking 27th in the league with just 11.1 made threes per game. Losing Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley in the offseason left them thin on perimeter firepower, and Huerter - a career 37.1% shooter from beyond the arc - helps address that.
He’s averaging 10.9 points per game this season and brings a level of spacing that Detroit desperately needs.
Saric, meanwhile, is on the move again. He was recently sent from Sacramento to Chicago in the De’Andre Hunter multi-team trade but never suited up for the Bulls. Now he lands in Detroit, giving the Pistons a versatile big who can stretch the floor and pass out of the high post - though like the other players in this trade, he’s on an expiring deal.
That’s an important note: all four players involved are on contracts set to expire after this season. So for all three teams, this deal is as much about flexibility as it is about fit.
For Minnesota, the trade is largely about the books. The Timberwolves slash their luxury-tax bill from $24 million to just $3.8 million, bringing them under the first apron and giving them some breathing room financially.
That’s not just cap maneuvering - it opens up possibilities. With an open roster spot and some financial flexibility, the Wolves are reportedly eyeing a potential move for a “Milwaukee star,” per insider reports.
In total, this is one of those trades where every team walks away with something they need. The Bulls take a swing on upside with Ivey and add a steady hand in Conley.
The Pistons get shooting help and a future asset. The Timberwolves clean up their cap sheet and set the stage for another potential move.
It’s not the kind of blockbuster that shakes the league overnight, but it’s the kind of savvy midseason maneuvering that can pay dividends down the stretch - and maybe beyond.