It’s been a difficult NBA season for Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons. At the moment, Ivey is nursing an injury. Soon, he’ll be back. In all likelihood, he’ll return straight to the Pistons’ bench.
What exactly is going on here? Well, the Pistons have favored Killian Hayes. He’s a much better defender than Ivey, so he’s getting the nod from Monte Williams. That makes perfect sense. On the other hand, it doesn’t bode well for Ivey’s future with the Pistons.
Who knows? This could be a mere bump in the road. Williams could be trying to motivate Ivey to earn his place in the starting lineup. On the other hand, it feels more possible than ever that the Pistons could look to move Ivey.
Could they send him to the Brooklyn Nets?
NBA Trade Proposal: Brooklyn Nets Land Detroit Pistons’ Jaden Ivey
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Royce O’Neale, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Jaden Ivey
For most second-year players, getting demoted to the bench wouldn’t be a major concern. For a lottery pick, the situation is different. Ivey came into the NBA with expectations. If nothing else, he was expected to be starting for the Pistons in his second season.
On the other hand, lottery picks don’t always live up to expectations. Other times, they do – and they don’t. More broadly, some NBA careers are just confusing. For example, look at Ben Simmons of the Nets. He’s a former number-one pick. Has he lived up to those lofty expectations?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Yes – and no. Simmons was an All-NBA player, but then, his career started to go south. This year, it looks like he’s turning his career back around.
With that in mind, should the Nets really bring Ivey on board?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
The Nets could justify this deal in several different ways. To begin with, they could use a guard who can create in half-court sets. Still, Ivey is more a player in theory than he is in practice. Should the Nets really take a flyer on him?
At this price, they could consider it. This is a buy-low opportunity for the Nets. If Ivey wasn’t relegated to reserve duties, he wouldn’t be available at the cost of a first-round pick and a role player. Meanwhile, it happens that the Nets can spare the role player they’re sending out here.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
After all, the Nets have a surplus of 3-and-D wings. They can afford to lose O’Neale. If they want to take a risk on a recent lottery pick, they shouldn’t mind paying this price for Ivey.
Should the Pistons accept this package?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
This wouldn’t be an easy decision for the Pistons to make. They just selected Ivey in the lottery. Cutting ties with him already would be unfortunate. With that said, it simply doesn’t feel like this team has a lot of faith in Ivey.
They don’t necessarily need to invest in him, either. If Ivey hits his ceiling, he should be a primary ball-handler. That’s Cade Cunningham’s role in Detroit. Moreover, Ausar Thompson has been outstanding as a rookie, and he’s flashed some secondary ball-handling chops as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
In some respects, Ivey looks like the odd man out. If so, O’Neale is the type of 3-and-D wing who would help balance this roster. Throw in an unprotected first, and this deal could motivate the Pistons to move on from Ivey. Hopefully, his season gets a little bit easier in the process.
