With the NBA trade deadline creeping closer, the Detroit Pistons find themselves at a crossroads. The front office, led by Trajan Langdon, hasn’t shown much urgency to shake up the roster, but that doesn’t mean they’re standing pat entirely.
One name starting to surface in trade talks? Jaden Ivey.
According to recent reports, the Pistons are actively gauging the market for the fourth-year guard. It’s a development that signals Detroit is at least open to exploring options-especially given Ivey’s current trajectory and contract situation.
Coming into the 2025-26 season, the Pistons faced key extension decisions with both Ivey and big man Jalen Duren. Neither deal got done before the deadline, and now the two players are heading in opposite directions.
Duren is playing the best basketball of his career, which only drives his price up. Ivey, on the other hand, has seen his production take a noticeable dip.
Through 24 games, Ivey is averaging just 8.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, while shooting 35% from beyond the arc. Those numbers mark a clear downturn from the promise he showed in his first three seasons. For a player once known for his explosive scoring and ability to attack the rim, this stretch has been a tough one.
Still, context matters. Ivey is in a contract year, and Detroit has to weigh whether to ride it out and hope he regains form-or see if there’s a trade partner willing to take a chance on his upside.
The Pistons likely won’t get peak value in return, but there’s a track record here that could entice teams. Before this slump, Ivey had shown real flashes of being a dynamic offensive weapon.
For now, Detroit continues to bring him off the bench, hoping he can rediscover his rhythm. Whether that leads to a late-season surge or a change of scenery remains to be seen. But as the trade deadline approaches, Ivey’s situation is definitely one to keep an eye on.