The most controversial topic among fans of the Detroit Pistons is what the team should do with Jaden Ivey.
Ivey has yet to make a significant impact since returning from his injury nor carved out a defined role for himself, which has some fans ready to pull the trigger on a trade.
The rancor around Ivey mostly exists online, where you are immediately categorized as being in Ivey’s “fan club” if you cheer for him or as an “Ivey hater” if you dare question his game.
In the real world, most Pistons fans are cheering for Ivey to succeed but understand the challenges he’s up against as a guy who is returning from two injuries and trying to find his place on the best team in the Eastern Conference that doesn’t have the luxury of playing him 35 minutes a night until he figures it out.
The funny thing is that the exact same fans who are down on Ivey are the ones screaming “trade him!” as if they are the only ones who have noticed he hasn’t been himself yet. The rest of the league knows too, which is why trading Ivey now would likely backfire.
Jaden Ivey has little trade value for the Detroit Pistons
It’s always hilarious to me when fans say, “He’s terrible, trade him for _____ (insert better player here)” as if other teams are going to line up to bid on Ivey’s services when he’s not even playing 20 minutes a game most nights and is not even averaging double digits.
This is why Ivey’s injury last season was so devastating, as the Pistons could have potentially flipped him at last year’s trade deadline or in the offseason had he been healthy, but now it’s hard to see any team giving up much of anything to get a guy who still isn’t right and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
I could be wrong, and there may be a team or two out there who value Ivey as a “second draft” guy who still has big-time talent and just needs some time, but right now that doesn’t seem likely.
At this point, the Pistons don’t have much to lose by being patient.
Jaden Ivey might be headed toward a qualifying offer
If the Pistons fail to trade Ivey at the deadline (I’m not sure they are even trying), he will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, but even that doesn’t present much threat.
Yes, some team could swoop in with a big offer the Pistons don’t want to match, and if that happens, you take your medicine and say, “fare thee well,” but what team is going to do that?
If the Pistons trade Ivey now, they will likely have to take pennies on the dollar and there is still a chance he figures it out this season and helps them, especially in the playoffs, so the risk of losing him for nothing is balanced by what he could potentially provide this season.
Even if some team does give Ivey a big offer sheet, the Pistons can always match it or try to orchestrate a sign-and-trade. If not, I see Ivey as a candidate for the qualifying offer that would allow him to rebuild his value next season.
It may be the best thing for both sides and a way for the Pistons to secure a value deal for a guy whose best days are hopefully still ahead of him.