Coming into the season, the biggest question the Detroit Pistons had to answer was whether Jaden Ivey is the long-term answer next to Cade Cunningham in the backcourt.
After an unfortunate injury set Ivey back, we are no closer to answering that question and the clock is ticking.
The Pistons didn’t extend Ivey in the offseason, which was not surprising given that both sides had reasons to be patient. The Pistons needed more data, and Ivey wanted to prove he was worth more than the Pistons were likely offering.
Ivey is set to be re-evaluated soon and will hopefully be able to get back on the court not long after that, as his injury is hurting the Pistons in multiple ways.
Detroit Pistons: Information, offense and trades
The Pistons really needed these early games with Ivey before the trade deadline to see if he is going to be part of the long-term plans and now it’s information they don’t have.
Let’s be real here, it would be shocking if Ivey were back before December, and it will take him some time to ramp up to game speed after that, so the Pistons aren’t going to see much before the February trade deadline comes around.
Ivey’s absence is clearly hurting the Pistons on the court, as Cunningham has had to do everything for them offensively, and they need another scorer. Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson have been great, but most of their offense comes off Cade.
The Pistons are no closer to knowing whether Ivey can be that guy, which is a shame. If he were healthy and playing well we'd be talking future contract numbers and not about the inevitable trade that is coming.
Ivey's injury is hurting them there too. If the Pistons are going to make a big trade for an impact player, Ivey is one of their most attractive trade assets, but that’s only if he is healthy and playing well.
No team is going to make him the centerpiece of a big trade right now, so his absence may limit what they are capable of, as their future picks will likely be high ones and aren’t proper trade bait either.
The best-case scenario is that Ivey is cleared to get back to basketball soon and get can back into the lineup and start answering the questions that have lingered over his entire career with the Pistons.
But every game that goes by that he’s not in there is another missed opportunity for him and the team and another day of questions about whether he will ever be the guy the Pistons need him to be in Detroit.
Ivey is a player I wouldn’t bet against, but it has to start with a clean bill of health, so the waiting game continues.