The Pistons faced criticism for trading away Jaden Ivey, but the move is looking smarter by the day. Ivey's ongoing injury struggles have kept him mostly off the court since joining the Bulls, while Kevin Huerter is starting to make his mark in Detroit. The trade, which included a first-round pick swap with the Timberwolves, is proving beneficial for the Pistons.
Ivey's Struggles with Health
Since the trade, Ivey has only appeared in four games for Chicago, with his last outing on February 11th. While the Bulls might be resting him as part of a strategic tanking effort, his inability to play consistently means he wouldn't be helping the Pistons much right now, especially as they eye the playoffs.
Detroit has had its share of injury woes, and they didn't need another player sidelined. Both Ivey and Huerter are on expiring contracts, so the Pistons essentially swapped an injured player for a healthier one while gaining a draft advantage. While a more impactful player would have been ideal, securing a guard who can actually play was the main goal.
Ivey's Impact on the Pistons' Issues
The Pistons' recent losing streak has some fans second-guessing the trade deadline decisions. However, even a fully healthy Ivey wouldn't have solved their problems. The team's struggles stem from defensive lapses rather than offensive issues.
Ivey did shoot 37% from three this season, which could have boosted the Pistons' scoring. Huerter, despite his reputation, has struggled with his shooting percentages over the past two seasons. But Ivey's diminished burst meant he wasn't significantly elevating the offense, even when his shots were falling.
This season, Ivey and Huerter have been relatively equal in their contributions to the Pistons. Interestingly, while Ivey has been the better shooter, Huerter has excelled at attacking the rim and playing defense. The real win for the Pistons has been Huerter's availability, a crucial aspect of Trajan Langdon's leadership.
Additionally, the Pistons' draft positioning could improve significantly, potentially moving up 7 or 8 spots depending on the Timberwolves' finish.
In the end, a healthy Kevin Huerter is proving more valuable than an injured Jaden Ivey. And who knows, the Pistons might even consider re-signing Ivey in free agency this summer.