Jaden Ivey showed his true potential in Saturday's win over the Bucks by displaying his proficient 3-point shooting. Ivey had an efficient 10 points in just 16 minutes while shooting 3-of-3 from deep. If he can continue to shoot well from three, he can be the missing piece that elevates the Pistons offense to match their strong defense.
Ivey's shooting will be his next major leap
Against the Bucks, Ivey showed an impressive ability to hit threes in different situations. He was consistently decisive with the ball and continuously active on offense. Two of his threes came off of relocations when he got himself open with movement. This was exactly the type of quick shooting and attacking that the Pistons lacked in their earlier loss to the Bucks this week.
Since being drafted 5th overall in 2022, Ivey has been identified as a potential future star. However, critics have questioned his fit with Cade Cunningham as an off-ball threat. Last season, Ivey showed great strides in his shooting to make the fit click between the two before an injury took him out. In his games played last season, he shot 41% from three on 5 attempts per game.
He hasn't been able to replicate that level of shooting accuracy or volume yet this season, but he's still getting reacclimated from injury. The Pistons have chosen to start Duncan Robinson at shooting guard instead of Ivey for his shooting, but Robinson is much more limited in other aspects of the game. If Ivey can find his outside shot and become a dangerous threat from deep, he can crack the starting lineup and give the Pistons another weapon.
Reliable three-point shooting from Ivey would do wonders for the Pistons. It would give them more reason to trust their current roster rather than pursuing a trade for a better shooter. This can save the Pistons' flexibility and assets both now and in the future. Additionally, an Ivey leap can make the Pistons contenders in the East this very season.
The Pistons are still on top of the conference and now have a 19-5 record. No other team in the East has proven itself as a true powerhouse, so the Pistons have every reason to believe they can make a deep playoff push. Their only weakness this season has been outside shooting, but Ivey has a chance to turn that weakness around.
Ivey's shooting leap will also establish him as a core member of the Pistons' future and solidify their long-term starting lineup. Aside from the shooting guard position, the Pistons started their young core 4 against the Bucks - Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren. If Ivey can also join these 4 as a prototypical modern shooting guard, the Pistons will be set for a long time.