The Detroit Pistons didn’t sign Jaden Ivey to an extension last offseason, a decision that was definitely the right call.
Both Ivey and Jalen Duren were up for rookie extensions, but the Pistons asked them to prove themselves before they handed over the money. Second contracts are always a big risk, as teams are often paying more for potential than what the player has actually done.
In Duren’s case, he absolutely is proving it and now looks like a guy who could command a max deal at the end of the season. Duren bet on himself and it paid off, but with Ivey, that gamble was even riskier.
After missing most of last season, the Pistons could have tried to lowball Ivey and get him on a team-friendly extension, a move that many fans were calling for, as they knew if Ivey blew up, the Pistons would be on the hook to pay him even more.
But that hasn’t happened so far, and the Pistons may end up getting that team-friendly deal after all.
Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey will get traded or re-signed to a favorable deal
When Jaden Ivey got hurt before the season even started, the Pistons likely breathed a sigh of relief that they hadn’t already signed him. Even a “team-friendly” deal wouldn’t have looked so friendly with Ivey sitting on the bench in street clothes.
Since his return, Ivey is easing back in, playing limited minutes off the bench and trying to figure out his role on this roster.
There are many ways Ivey can help this team, and he’s already starting to show them in limited minutes, scoring efficiently and hustling all over the court on defense. You couldn’t say Ivey has been a huge part of the 20-5 start, but that should excite fans, as the best is yet to come.
But even if Ivey plays brilliantly this season, there is a good chance he’s not going to be a starter, as Duncan Robinson is averaging over 12 points per game, shooting the lights out and the Pistons desperately need the spacing he provides.
Ivey may end up playing starter’s minutes at some point, but at least for now, it will be from the bench.
His lack of a clear role on this team could make him trade bait at the deadline, but given the context (at least right now), it’s hard to see another team wanting to make Ivey the centerpiece of a big trade.
A lot can change between now and February but given the information we have at hand this minute, it seems unlikely Ivey is traded.
That could work out for the Pistons, as Ivey may enter restricted free agency as a bench player, which could force him to sign a more favorable short-term deal. This is also good for Ivey, who can come back from a serious injury without the pressure of immediately starting and playing a huge role.
The Pistons are not locked into a deal for Ivey, which now looks like a smart move that could end up paying big dividends for them at the trade deadline or at the end of next season.