The Detroit Pistons are finally starting to look whole again - and not a moment too soon.
After a stretch of games where they were piecing together rotations on the fly, the Pistons are heading into tonight’s home matchup against the Phoenix Suns with a much healthier roster. Isaiah Stewart, Tobias Harris, and Jalen Duren have all been upgraded to probable, and perhaps more importantly, Cade Cunningham is no longer listed on the injury report. That’s a major boost for a team that’s been searching for continuity and rhythm all season long.
The timing couldn’t be better. Detroit hasn’t played since January 10, giving the squad a rare midseason breather. Now, they’re set to host the Suns before facing the Pacers and Celtics - a three-game home stand that could serve as a launching pad before a tough West Coast road trip looms on the horizon.
With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching on February 5, these next few games carry more weight than just wins and losses. This is evaluation time - and with a full roster finally available, new president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has a critical window to assess what he’s really working with.
Jaden Ivey at a Crossroads
One of the biggest questions facing the Pistons right now is what to make of Jaden Ivey’s role - or lack thereof. With multiple starters sidelined in recent weeks, the door was open for Ivey to step into a larger spotlight. But that breakout moment never quite materialized.
Ivey continues to log around 18-20 minutes per game, often in a supporting role that feels more like a placeholder than a building block. It’s not that the talent isn’t there - we’ve seen flashes - but something still seems off. Whether it’s confidence, rhythm, or fit, he hasn’t looked like the explosive guard many hoped would take a leap this season.
That puts Detroit in a tricky spot. Trading Ivey now could mean selling low on a player who still has upside.
But holding onto him without a clear role could result in diminishing returns - or worse, losing him down the line without getting anything back. The good news?
He’s still under team control, and restricted free agency gives Detroit some leverage. But the clock is ticking, and these next few games might be Ivey’s last real chance to prove he belongs in the Pistons’ long-term plans.
Roster Spots on the Line
Ivey isn’t the only player with something to prove. Rookie Daniss Jenkins is essentially auditioning for a full-time NBA contract.
He’s shown flashes of defensive tenacity and a willingness to play within his role, but with the roster getting healthier, his minutes may become harder to come by. Every possession matters for a player like Jenkins trying to stick in the league.
Then there’s the veteran group - Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert among them - who are trying to show they’re more than just trade filler. With the deadline approaching, veterans on expiring deals often get lumped into trades to make salaries match. But if Harris or LeVert can show they still bring real value on the court, they could either elevate their trade value or carve out a more permanent role in Detroit’s rotation.
A Defining Stretch Ahead
The next few weeks will say a lot about where this franchise is headed. Langdon needs to see this team at full strength - not just to evaluate individual players, but to assess how the pieces fit together.
Who complements Cade Cunningham best? Can Duren and Stewart co-exist in the frontcourt?
Is there enough shooting and spacing around the core to build a functional offense?
These aren’t theoretical questions anymore. The Pistons have been in evaluation mode all season, but now, with the roster nearing full health, the real decisions begin. This stretch of games - starting tonight against Phoenix - could define the direction of the franchise for the next several seasons.
It’s not just about wins. It’s about clarity. And finally, the Pistons are in a position to find some.