Could Jaden Ivey be Pistons true target?

A report says the Detroit Pistons really like Purdue guard Jaden Ivey. If so, maybe they do not care if any of the ‘Big 3’ drops down to them at No. 5. Maybe Detroit is looking more at guards?

There is so much smoke put out by teams and players agents approaching the NBA Draft, you might feel like you are in the middle of a forest fire. Everybody  thinks they know what team likes what player, plus agents offer media types ‘inside’ information that pumps up their clients.

Of course, there is really no incentive for teams to publicly let known who their preferences are. FIrst, things can change quickly (Joel Embiid was going to be No. 1 pick until it was discovered he had a broken foot) in terms of which players a team likes And giving away who you prefer hurts trade value. If a team knows another team really wants someone, they can jack up the price for moving up in the draft.

Even if picking No. 1, where you literally can have anyone you want, the thoughts of teams are usually cloaked in secrecy. The Pistons had the first pick last year, and no one  except the Pistons staff was 100-percent sure they would take Cade Cunningham, until Commissioner Adam SIlver announced it.

(They also do it for TV ratings, the NBA office likes drama to build interest, so they discourage teams from announcing picks beforehand)

That means take any tidbit of information with a grain of salt. However, this is a pretty good nugget:

In a review of the top guards in the NBA Draft for The Athletic (PAID SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED), writer David Aldridge mentions that Detroit ‘loves’ Purdue guard Jaden Ivey.

With the ‘Big 3’ of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. most likely gone by the time Detroit is on the clock at No. 5, it might all be for the best. If the Pistons want a guard to pair with Cade Cunningham, most draftniks have Ivey at No. 1.

Will Jaden Ivey be available for Detroit Pistons to draft?

Simple math says that if the Big 3 go, in some order, in the top three, that means the Pistons only have to wait and see if the Sacramento Kings at No. 4 take Ivey. Considering the Kings already have a similar guard in De’Aaron Fox, it doesn’t make sense to draft him.

Of course, the ‘Kangz’ took Marvin Bagley III when Trae Young, Luka Doncic and Jaren Jackson Jr. were still on the board, so who knows what they think. (No offense to Bagley, a new Piston, but c’mon)

Now, there was an earlier report that the Houston Rockets at No. 3 are also looking seriously at Ivey. That would give a new spin to the draft and, again, who knows how Sacramento will react to one of the ‘Big 3’ suddenly being available.

If the Kings are not interested in Ivey, and he slips to No. 5, it appears the Pistons would happily grab him.

Now Ivey is not the perfect prospect, as there is questions about his outside shooting ability and passing. But he is super-athletic (something Detroit needs) and could be a good fit in the backcourt with Cade Cunningham, which is the most important thing, no matter who the Pistons take.

If the draft goes (in some order): Smith-Banchero-Holmgren-Ivey, then Detroit can like Ivey all they want, he will be gone. A that point, their option are either trading down or selecting from the Keegan Murray, Shaedon Sharpe, Jalen Duren, AJ Griffin tier of players.

Or, if they really like Ivey, to make sure they can get him, maybe Pistons general manager Troy Weaver makes a deal with the Kings to move up one spot. Sacramento is in ‘win now’ mode after not making the playoffs for 16 years. Now, you don’t trade Jerami Grant for one slot, but maybe a solid veteran like Kelly Olynyk or Cory Joseph would interest the KIngs.

If Aldridge’s report is correct, and he is one of the more plugged-in reporters, if the Pistons take a  Ivey, do not be surprised if they have wide smiles afterward.