When the Detroit Pistons let Dennis Schröder walk in free agency, a clear message was sent: Jaden Ivey will have every opportunity to prove he can be a true second option. Cade Cunningham has solidified his place as Detroit's franchise player, and several key additions will be essential to creating adequate depth.
With Schröder out of the equation and Detroit's offseason activity slanted toward strengthening the second unit, however, it's Ivey who will need to prove capable of taking on the role of a No. 2.
Ivey, 23, was well on his way to solidifying his status as the second star the Pistons have been searching for in 2024-25. The No. 5 overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft turned his third season into a launching pad toward notoriety, scoring and distributing at rising-star levels.
Through 30 games, Ivey had recorded averages of 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.1 three-point field goals made on .460/.409/.733 shooting.
Unfortunately, a broken left fibula ended Ivey's season just as it was rounding into form. He'd scored 39 points over his final 47 minutes of action, but the injury robbed him of his momentum and led Detroit to trading for Schröder—a move that transformed them into an above-.500 team.
Ivey will now be tasked with recreating his individual magic and proving that he can be as valuable to the Pistons' postseason efforts as Schröder was—and, ideally, even more so.
Jaden Ivey gifted golden opportunity to prove he's Pistons' second star
Ivey's 2024-25 averages in points, rebounds, steals, and three-point field goals made would've been career-best marks had he played the qualifying number of games. That alone is reason to be intrigued by what the up-and-comer was beginning to figure out.
It was the uptick in efficiency, however, that had many exhilarated by what was taking shape—and there's reason to believe it can be sustained.
Ivey's slash line went from .429/.336/.749 in 2023-24 to .460/.409/.733 in 2024-25. Perhaps it's unfair to believe he can shoot better than 40.0 percent from beyond the arc on a consistent basis, but there's ample reason for optimism in virtually every area.
That includes the fact that 2024-25 marked the second consecutive season during which his two-point field goal percentage had increased—up from 45.7 percent as a rookie to 48.5 and then 49.0.
Furthermore, Ivey shot 37.4 percent on catch-and-shoot threes in 2022-23 and 35.5 percent in 2023-24. That makes the jump to 45.2 percent in 2024-25 somewhat extreme, but also founded in a general level of efficiency that seemed destined to increase as his experience and work ethic permitted it to.
As such, in 2025-26, it's entirely reasonable to believe that Ivey will continue to improve his efficiency within the arc and act as a reliable source of catch-and-shoot success from beyond it.
Furthermore, Ivey's production increases were by reasonable margins of 2.0 points, 0.7 rebounds, 0.2 steals, and 0.5 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes. As such, his success was less about an unsustainable leap and more based in a natural progression that appears to be occurring.
Thankfully for Ivey, 2025-26 will represent a brilliant opportunity to step up, prove that he can be a true second star alongside Cunningham, and help the Pistons take the next step toward contending.