As we near 2026, the Detroit Pistons have the same question lingering over them that they did heading into 2025, which is what are they going to do about Jaden Ivey?
Ivey’s future hasn’t become much clearer since returning from his devastating leg injury, as he’s still not playing big minutes and doesn’t have a clear place in the rotation.
Speculation grew even more when coach JB Bickerstaff talked about Ivey trying to find his place, which made it sound more like a fit problem than a limit on his minutes, though the Pistons have been careful to work him back into action slowly.
There is still plenty of time for Ivey to find a niche on the Pistons and play his way back into 30+ minutes a game, but as the new year approaches, the clock is ticking on his future in Detroit one way or another.
Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey’s tryout starts now
Of all the young core, Jaden Ivey seems the most likely to be traded, as he’s a restricted free agent next summer and has still not yet proven how he fits on this team.
That’s not Ivey’s fault, as most of these questions were meant to be answered last season, and he was playing well before Cole Anthony dove recklessly into his legs. Had Ivey not gotten hurt, we may be having the same conversations about him that we’re having about Jalen Duren, which is speculating how much he’s going to get in his next contract.
Instead, we are wondering if Ivey will still be on the team past the trade deadline, as the Pistons do have weaknesses they could potentially address, and Ivey is still one of their best trade assets even though he has not played much this season.
Some team will always be willing to take a chance on a “second draft” on a guy who was picked in the top five, so if the Pistons want to re-route Ivey, they probably can.
This will be the primary question on Trajan Langdon’s plate in the next month plus before the trade deadline, so I am sure there will be a directive to get Ivey as much time as possible without disrupting the rotation.
Ivey has ramped up to just over 17 minutes a game over his last five and is averaging 8.8 points, so he’s starting to get closer, but coach Bickerstaff is still trying to parcel out minutes to 11-12 guys most nights, and the Pistons are trying to win every game, so he’s going to go with his best players.
The next month will be an extended tryout for Jaden Ivey, and hopefully, he’ll play well and cement his place and role on this team, but if not, we could see him flipped at the deadline.