The Detroit Pistons have made their first move ahead of the trade deadline, and it’s a bold one. In a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves, the Pistons are sending Jaden Ivey to Chicago and bringing in veterans Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric, along with a conditional first-round pick swap with Minnesota.
Let’s break this down.
The Pistons’ Return: Experience and Flexibility
Detroit receives Kevin Huerter, a 27-year-old wing who brings a steady veteran presence and floor spacing-two things the Pistons have been craving as they push toward a deep playoff run. Huerter’s shooting numbers this season (10.9 points per game on 31.4% from deep) are below his career norm, but he’s historically been a reliable 3-point shooter at 37.1%.
The hope here is that a change of scenery-and a defined role on a contending team-can help him rediscover his rhythm. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $65 million deal, so this is a low-risk, short-term play for Detroit.
Saric, 31, is more of a roster maneuver at this point. He’s only appeared in five games this season and was just moved to Chicago in a prior deal before landing in Detroit.
He’s making $5.4 million this year and could be waived or flipped again depending on how the Pistons manage their roster crunch. With the team currently over the roster limit and looking to convert two-way guard Daniss Jenkins to a standard contract, expect more shuffling in the coming days.
Detroit also picks up the right to swap 2026 first-round picks with Minnesota, though that pick is protected 1-19. As it stands, the Wolves are at No. 23 and the Pistons at No. 29, so there’s a modest chance that pick swap nets some value down the line-especially if Minnesota regresses or Detroit continues ascending.
Saying Goodbye to Jaden Ivey
For Pistons fans, the departure of Jaden Ivey stings. The former No. 5 overall pick out of Purdue came into the league with high expectations and showed flashes of star potential early on. Last season, he was in the middle of a breakout campaign-averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4 assists per game-before a broken fibula ended his season on January 1, 2025.
That injury, coupled with an arthroscopic knee procedure that delayed his return this season, has made it a frustrating year for Ivey. He’s appeared in 33 games, starting just two, and is averaging 8.2 points and 1.6 assists in 16.8 minutes per game. Clearly, his role in Detroit had diminished, and with no extension agreement reached last summer, he was heading into restricted free agency with an uncertain future.
Now, he’ll get a fresh start in Chicago, where the Bulls are likely hoping to unlock the version of Ivey that looked like a rising star just a year ago.
Minnesota’s Role: Clearing Cap Space
The Timberwolves’ involvement is largely financial. They’re sending veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls in a salary dump.
Conley’s leadership and experience could be a stabilizing force in Chicago’s backcourt, depending on how the Bulls want to use him. For Minnesota, it’s about clearing space and possibly setting the table for more moves before the deadline.
Pistons Poised for a Run
At 36-12, Detroit is sitting comfortably atop the Eastern Conference and tracking toward a 60-win season-their best since the 2005-06 campaign. This trade signals that they’re serious about maximizing this window. They’re not swinging for the fences, but they’re fine-tuning the roster with pieces that can contribute right now.
And the Pistons will be well-represented at All-Star Weekend. Cade Cunningham is starting, Jalen Duren earned a reserve nod, and head coach J.B.
Bickerstaff and his staff will be on the sidelines for one of the teams in the new round-robin format. It’s a well-deserved spotlight for a franchise that’s quickly gone from rebuild to contender.
This move may not make the biggest headlines, but it’s a smart play for a team with real aspirations. Detroit is positioning itself not just to win now, but to stay flexible for the future.