Kevin Huerter Joins Pistons as Jaden Ivey Moves On: J.B. Bickerstaff Talks Identity, Growth, and Staying the Course
DETROIT - As the dust settles from the trade deadline, the Detroit Pistons are turning the page - not with a dramatic overhaul, but with a clear sense of direction. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke candidly about the team’s newest addition, the departure of a promising young guard, and the mindset driving the franchise forward.
Kevin Huerter: A Seamless Fit on and off the Court
Kevin Huerter is set to make his Pistons debut Thursday night when Detroit hosts the Washington Wizards. And if you ask Bickerstaff, the veteran wing brings more than just shooting to the table.
“He’s a complete basketball player,” Bickerstaff said. “He’s versatile in the things he can do.
Obviously, he can make shots, but it’s more than that - he can make plays, run the pick-and-roll, and he’s one of the better cutters in the league. He understands spacing and sees the game at a high level.”
That basketball IQ is exactly what the Pistons are looking to integrate into their system. But Bickerstaff also emphasized Huerter’s character and mindset - a player who knows the situation he’s stepping into and isn’t here to disrupt chemistry, but to elevate it.
“He’s a great dude,” Bickerstaff added. “He’s not here to rock the boat. He’s here to help and contribute - and we believe his skill set can do that.”
Saying Goodbye to Jaden Ivey: A Business Move with Real Emotion
Of course, Huerter’s arrival came with a price - the departure of Jaden Ivey, a young guard with undeniable talent and upside. Bickerstaff didn’t shy away from the emotional weight of the decision.
“It’s always tough,” he said. “You build relationships with people, and you care about people.
But this league, as great as it is, comes with some emotional things that aren’t always fun. You’ve got to deal with them.”
Bickerstaff made it clear that Ivey’s contributions - both on the court and in the locker room - were appreciated. From handling role changes to staying locked in during tough stretches, Ivey earned the respect of the coaching staff.
“J.I. was awesome,” Bickerstaff said. “He allowed me to coach him.
He was a teammate who wanted to do whatever he could to help us win. Last year, he started out playing one way, then had to adjust to a new role.
A lot of guys wouldn’t have handled that the way he did.”
There was no single moment where things “didn’t work,” according to Bickerstaff. Instead, it was about opportunity - giving Ivey a fresh start in a new environment where he might carve out a different role and continue to grow.
“This wasn’t about something failing,” Bickerstaff said. “It was a business decision that gives J.I. a new opportunity. I’m happy I got to coach him, and I hope it works out for both sides.”
Eyes Forward: The Pistons Stay Grounded Amid League-Wide Movement
With the trade deadline behind them and the roster reshaped, the Pistons are staying locked in on their identity. While headlines swirl about a wide-open Eastern Conference, Bickerstaff isn’t getting caught up in the noise.
“I don’t pay attention to it,” he said with a grin. “If I’m looking for entertainment or laughs, I watch Martin. The work is done on the floor.”
He acknowledged that the flurry of moves across the league - not just in the East - signals something bigger: a league-wide push for opportunity, with no clear-cut dominant force.
“There haven’t been back-to-back champions in six or seven years,” Bickerstaff noted. “Everyone sees a window, and they’re going for it. That’s good for the league.”
Staying True to the Pistons’ Identity
Through it all, Bickerstaff’s message to his team remains consistent: stick to the standard.
“Nothing’s changed for us,” he said. “We have our standard that we live by every single day.
We play Pistons basketball. No matter who’s here or not, we’ve shown this season - through injuries and adversity - that we stick to our identity.”
That identity is rooted in effort, growth, and a commitment to the process. It’s not about chasing headlines or quick fixes. It’s about building something sustainable, one possession at a time.
“This is the group we’ve had since day one,” Bickerstaff said. “We’ve seen improvement, and we’re going to keep getting better - day by day.”
As the Pistons prepare to welcome Huerter into the fold and move forward without Ivey, the mission is clear: stay grounded, stay together, and keep building.