Jaden Ivey is on the move - but he’s not going far.
The former Purdue standout and South Bend native is heading to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team trade involving the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s a notable shift for Ivey, who stays in the Midwest but gets a fresh start in a new system.
Here’s how the deal breaks down: Ivey goes to the Bulls, who also pick up veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. from Minnesota. The Pistons, meanwhile, receive a 2026 first-round pick from the Timberwolves along with sharpshooter Kevin Huerter and versatile forward Dario Šarić.
For Ivey, this marks a pivotal moment in a young career that’s already had its share of ups and downs. Drafted fifth overall by Detroit in 2022 after two dynamic seasons at Purdue - including a First-Team All-Big Ten nod in his sophomore year - Ivey entered the league with high expectations.
And early on, he delivered. As a rookie, he started 73 games, averaged 16.3 points and 5.2 assists per game, and finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting.
He looked every bit the explosive combo guard that scouts projected.
But injuries threw a wrench into his sophomore campaign. A broken left fibula in January sidelined him for more than half the season, and although he returned in November, he missed the first 15 games of this year and has been working his way back into form. This season, he’s averaging 8.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 2.2 rebounds - a noticeable dip from his earlier production, and his first year primarily coming off the bench.
Still, the potential is there. Through 214 career NBA games (166 starts), Ivey is averaging 14.9 points and 4.0 assists, with shooting splits of 43.1% from the field and 35.4% from three. That’s a solid foundation for a 22-year-old guard who’s now getting a chance to reset in Chicago.
From the Bulls’ perspective, this is a swing at upside. They’re currently ninth in the Eastern Conference and clearly looking to shake things up.
Adding Ivey gives them a young, athletic guard who can push the pace, attack off the dribble, and potentially blossom in a new environment. Pairing him with Conley - a seasoned floor general - might also help accelerate his development.
As for Ivey, this move brings him closer to home and offers a new chapter in a career that’s still in its early stages. He’s no stranger to big moments - from his high school days at Marian and La Lumiere to his All-American season at Purdue, he’s always had a knack for rising to the occasion. Now, with a fresh jersey and a new opportunity, he gets another chance to show why he was once one of the most electrifying prospects in the country.