There is precedent for the Detroit Pistons trading Jaden Ivey

One of the biggest questions hanging over the Detroit Pistons as they head into the offseason is what they are going to do with Jaden Ivey.

Ivey has flashed star potential over his first two seasons, but did regress this year under coach Monty Williams, who never found a role for his dynamic guard and even had him coming off the bench in favor of Killian Hayes, who is no longer in the NBA.

This regression, along with his perceived lack of fit with Cade Cunningham, has raised speculation that Ivey could be traded this summer.

It would be a risky move for the Pistons, especially now, as Ivey's value has likely dipped after a mediocre season where his strengths were not showcased as much as they should have been. The Pistons need elite talent and Ivey may be one, but they also need players who fit better with Cade Cunningham, a problem the Detroit Pistons have faced in the past.

The Detroit Pistons trading talent for fit

In the 2002 offseason, the Pistons traded All-Star Jerry Stackhouse in a 6-player deal that netted them Richard Hamilton. At the time, it looked as though the Pistons were giving up the more talented player, though that is certainly debatable now, as Hamilton blossomed into a 3-time All-Star in Detroit and finished with a higher career scoring average.

The Pistons had already added Chauncey Billups in free agency, so even though Stackhouse was seen as the better, more established player, Hamilton was rightfully seen as the better fit for the team Joe Dumars was building. Dumars was right and Hamilton went on to form a championship backcourt with Billups, with each player complementing the other.

The Jaden Ivey situation is not exactly the same. Unlike Stackhouse, Ivey is not an All-Star in his prime. But he is an inefficient shooting guard (just like Stackhouse) with oodles of individual talent. Given his sinking value, if the Pistons were to trade him, they might have to take on a player or players whose talent level is not as high as Ivey's but who are better overall fits for the team.

Trading a dynamic scoring guard worked for the Detroit Pistons in the past, so even though these situations are not identical, there is precedent for moving a talented player to get one back who is a better fit.

Ultimately, I'd bet against Ivey being moved, as he just doesn't have enough value now to risk giving up a future star, but he's also the Pistons' best chance to add the complementary talent they need around Cade Cunningham.