The Chicago Bulls are shaking things up ahead of the trade deadline, pulling off a three-team deal that brings in Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr., while sending Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić to the Detroit Pistons. Minnesota gets involved too, offloading Conley’s contract and attaching a 2026 first-round pick swap to make it happen.
Let’s break this down from all sides.
Chicago’s Bet on Youth and Upside
For the Bulls, this is all about upside and timeline alignment. Ivey, 23, arrives at a crossroads in his career.
Once seen as a future cornerstone in Detroit’s backcourt alongside Cade Cunningham, Ivey’s trajectory has been derailed by injuries. A fractured left fibula on New Year’s Day 2025 halted what had the makings of a breakout season, and a follow-up knee procedure in October further complicated his return.
Since coming back, Ivey hasn’t quite looked like the same explosive athlete that made him the No. 5 pick in the 2022 draft. His numbers are down across the board - minutes, points, assists, rebounds - and he’s struggled to carve out a consistent role. But in Chicago, he gets a fresh start, even if it’s in a crowded backcourt.
The Bulls already have Josh Giddey, Coby White, Tre Jones, and Ayo Dosunmu. That’s a lot of guards vying for minutes, and Ivey will have to earn his way into the rotation.
But the Bulls are clearly betting on his potential. He’s still on his rookie deal, set to hit restricted free agency this summer, and his next contract likely won’t break the bank - especially compared to what someone like White could command.
This is a classic buy-low move. And it fits with the Bulls’ ongoing youth movement.
Ivey joins a core that includes 21-year-old Matas Buzelis, 23-year-old Giddey, and 19-year-old rookie Noa Essengue. If Ivey can rediscover even a portion of the burst and scoring ability that made him such a tantalizing prospect, this deal could pay off big.
Detroit’s Roster Realignment
For the Pistons, this is more about clearing the logjam and reshuffling the deck. Ivey had become the odd man out in a backcourt that’s evolving around Cunningham and other emerging pieces. Rather than let the situation linger, Detroit moves on and brings in Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić, plus a 2026 first-round pick swap from Minnesota.
Huerter, 27, is a known commodity - a movement shooter with a track record of spacing the floor, though he’s had a down year from deep, hitting just 31.4% on over five attempts per game. That’s the second-worst mark of his eight-year career, but there’s still value in his ability to shoot off screens and keep defenses honest. His contract expires after this season, so Detroit isn’t locked into anything long-term.
Šarić, meanwhile, never suited up for the Bulls after being acquired in a separate deal just two days ago. He’s now on his way to Detroit as part of this transaction. While not a game-changer, Šarić is a savvy veteran who can stretch the floor and provide some frontcourt depth.
The Pistons also get some draft flexibility with the 2026 pick swap. It’s not a blockbuster return, but it’s a clean move that opens up minutes for their younger guards and gives them a couple of rotation-ready vets to evaluate.
Minnesota’s Cap Play and Conley’s Legacy
On the Timberwolves’ side, this is a cap and flexibility move. By attaching a 2026 first-round pick swap, they’re able to get off Mike Conley Jr.’s contract and save over $20 million in luxury tax payments. That’s significant, especially for a team that may be looking to retool around its core and potentially make a run at adding more firepower down the line.
But make no mistake - this isn’t just a financial footnote. Conley’s impact in Minnesota was real.
He brought leadership, poise, and a veteran presence to a young Wolves squad that made back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025. His arrival in 2023, via the D’Angelo Russell trade, was a turning point for the franchise.
Alongside Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Conley helped stabilize the backcourt and elevate the team’s floor.
That said, the 38-year-old has clearly slowed down this season. He’s shooting just 33% from the field and from beyond the arc, and his minutes have dipped to a career-low 18.6 per game. The once-lethal floater that made him a pick-and-roll maestro has largely disappeared, and he’s scored more than six points just twice in his last 16 games.
Still, Conley’s value went beyond the box score. He was the adult in the room, the steady hand that helped guide Minnesota through deep playoff runs. His departure marks the end of an era - and opens the door for the Wolves to explore new options, whether that’s adding bench depth or staying in the mix for a bigger move.
What’s Next?
For the Bulls, this deal is part of a broader strategy to collect young talent and build a sustainable future. They’re expected to keep hunting for youthful assets ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
Detroit gets a chance to recalibrate, adding shooting and veteran presence while giving more breathing room to its developing core.
Minnesota clears cap space and looks toward the next chapter, but they’ll have to replace more than just a backup point guard - they’re losing a leader.
At the end of the day, this is a trade that touches all corners of the NBA spectrum: upside, cap management, veteran legacies, and youth movement. And while it may not be the biggest headline of the deadline, it could quietly shape the future for all three teams involved.