The Detroit Pistons are the hottest team in the East with a 13-2 record, winning their last 11 games, but there is one glaring thing they need — more shooting. That is something they could address before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Jaden Ivey's return should help. According to ESPN's Vincent Goodwill, there is "an internal desire to see this group together before pressing the fast-forward button."
Goodwill added that ownership "isn't afraid of making a large commitment should the front office come with a proposal."
On Tuesday, Detroit announced that Ivey had been assigned to the team's G League affiliate, the final step in his rehab progress before he makes his season debut for the Pistons. He shot 40.9% from three last season on 5.1 attempts per game, but that was in 30 games, before he broke his fibula. Everyone is eager to see if that will carry over into this season.
The Pistons didn't sign Ivey (or Jalen Duren) to an extension before the season, so this is a critical season for his future. Detroit has done well without him, so his return could be icing on the cake, but if it's not, the Pistons have the assets, tradable contracts, and cap space to be active before the deadline.
Pistons want to see what the team looks like with Jaden Ivey
Detroit hasn't publicly expressed interest in any players (yet). Because of its position and status, the team has already been linked to several players, from Lauri Markkanen to Jaren Jackson Jr. To be clear, neither team has shown a willingness to discuss either player in a trade. It's still early, although the Jazz reportedly are "stonewalling" Markkanen talks, according to Matt Moore of FanSided.
There are several directions the Pistons could go, and you can bet the front office has already considered them, but they rightfully want to see what changes when Ivey returns. Luckily, there are over two months until the deadline, so Detroit has time.
The Pistons proved they were a threat last season when they finished sixth in the conference and took the Knicks to six games in the first round of the playoffs, and most of that happened without Ivey. So far this season, Detroit has done more than take advantage of a weakened conference; it has proven that it's the real deal.
A thought that didn't cross anyone's mind two years ago is at the forefront of the minds of every fan, and it's that the Pistons can make a deep playoff run. The front office knows that, too. Based on what Goodwill wrote, Detroit isn't afraid to be active before the deadline to strengthen the roster.