Pistons: Jaden Ivey is the perfect fit with Cade Cunningham on both ends

The Detroit Pistons went into the 2022 NBA Draft looking for a star to put with Cade Cunningham and they may have gotten their guy in Jaden Ivey.

Ivey wasn’t expected to fall to the Pistons with the 5th pick, but the Sacramento Kings went with Keegan Murray, giving Detroit a chance to get the guy they wanted to pair with Cade Cunningham.

Troy Weaver wasn’t done there, as he was able to flip the pick he got for Jerami Grant for center Jalen Duren, one of the most athletic bigs in the entire draft and a guy the Pistons were reportedly very high on coming in, so high that they would have considered taking him at five if Ivey had not fallen.

Instead, they got them both, and Jaden Ivey in particular looks like the perfect fit for Cade Cunningham on both ends. He is as excited to come to Detroit as we are, and when you look at what they are building, you can see why.

Pistons: Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey on offense

Detroit needed a big upgrade of talent and athleticism at the two-guard and they got it in Jaden Ivey, who is going to take a lot of pressure off Cade Cunningham.

Cade was really the only Piston who could create offense last season, so the whole show ran through him, which led to a lot of turnovers when Cunningham had no one to dish it to under pressure.

Teams were able to pack the paint, and since the Pistons didn’t really have much shooting around him, Cade Cunningham was often forced into some tough spots.

Jaden Ivey will give the Pistons another guy who can get his own shot or set up teammates, and will give Cade a weapon to share the ball with, but also a guy who can get him open shots as well.

Ivey’s athleticism and above-the-rim style will complement Cade’s cerebral approach perfectly, and I am already excited to see these two set each other up on the offensive end, especially some of the alley-oops we are going to see when Cade grabs a rebound and fires it full court to a streaking Ivey.

Prepare for the Pistons to have A LOT more fast breaks this season, which should help make up for their lack of 3-point shooting.

Pistons: Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey on offense

Cade and Jaden’s fit on defense is equally exciting.

Ivey can defend both guard positions, and puts in the effort at that end. He has the quickness and strength to stay in front of and even bully a lot of NBA point guards, which will allow Cade to take on twos and threes, which is better for him.

Ivey has great length, so can switch onto the wings as well, so it is going to be tough for teams to create mismatches with these two roaming the perimeter. The Pistons had problems with quick point guards last season, but that should no longer be the case with Ivey on board.

The Detroit Pistons have their backcourt of the future set, with two complementary players who are perfect fits on both ends.