Victor Wembanyama could change the NBA. He’s likely to change the San Antonio Spurs, at least. Wembanyama is a generational prospect. As long as he can stay healthy, he will likely be this team’s franchise player.
Every young lottery pick doesn’t land in this situation. Wembanyama is the Spurs’ undisputed alpha. It isn’t always that simple. Sometimes, a young player lands in a situation that doesn’t necessarily work for him. Has Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons landed in such a situation?
We wouldn’t go that far. Still, it is worth noting that the Pistons have seemingly shifted Ivey to the bench. This partnership could be short-lived. The Pistons only selected Ivey in last summer’s draft, but this foundation may already have cracks.
Could the Pistons get ahead of that by sending Ivey to the Spurs?
NBA Trade Proposal — San Antonio Spurs Land Jaden Ivey
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Cedi Osman, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Jaden Ivey
Of course, every player doesn’t have Wembanyama’s talent either. Nor do they have his natural gifts. This man is roughly 7’3 and he moves like a gazelle. Frankly, Wembanyama is one of one. That’s exactly what has made him a generational prospect.
Most young players have some kind of a discernible concern. Look at the Pistons. Cade Cunningham has an elite feel for the game, but is he athletic enough to create in the half-court? Ivey is, but does he have that feel? Will his shot hold up? Will Ausar Thompson’s?
These are all lottery picks. They’re all impressive players who could be huge factors in the NBA moving forward. The Pistons have a lot of stars.
The fact that we can find flaws in any of them only speaks to Wembanyama’s potential. As long as he can stay healthy, he should be the best player in the NBA someday. Should the Spurs pair him with Ivey?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do This Deal
The Spurs could use a point guard. Whether Ivey fits that description is a matter of debate. He’s certainly a primary ball-handler. Ivey’s handle, speed, and burst make him a dynamic offensive player. Does he have the facilitating skills to run point?
That’s a question we once asked ourselves about a former Spurs guard. Tony Parker had a score-first mentality. Gregg Popovich made it work. There’s no reason to think he couldn’t do the same with Ivey. Generally speaking, if you give Coach Pop talent, he will mold it. Ivey isn’t likely to be an exception.
Some will suggest that parting with draft capital for a soon-to-be sophomore is shortsighted. Ordinarily, we’d agree. Yet, Wembanyama has shown us enough.
The Spurs have their franchise player. If they want to, they can start making moves to improve their roster. This deal does that while still keeping them young.
Should the Pistons help them tick off both of those boxes?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do This Deal
It’s concerning that the Pistons have opted to bench Ivey. Sure, it’s preseason. Perhaps the Pistons are merely experimenting. At the same time, it’s something to think about. Is Ivey an optimal fit alongside Cunningham and Thompson?
If not, Ivey feels like the odd man out. Thompson offers more defensive value, and Cunningham is likely a more effective offensive engine. Ivey has ample potential as a combo guard and a scorer, but if the Pistons are choosing two of these three, in theory, they should choose Cunningham and Ivey.
Here, we’ve got them getting ahead of that choice early. If Detroit opts to keep Ivey on the bench, his trade value is only going to decline.
With that in mind, flipping him for a veteran they can use now in addition to this type of draft capital is a smart call. It might just mean watching Ivey help Victor Wembanyama change the NBA.
