Both Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren are eligible for extensions this summer and both offer challenges when it comes to their next contract.
I wrote about Duren recently, a 21-year-old who is looking for a big deal that would be based as much on potential as production, which is always a risk. But given his age and improvement this season, it’s a reasonable risk to take if the price is right.
Jaden Ivey’s extension is even trickier, as he missed most of this season, and even though he was showing improvement in key areas, the Pistons didn’t get to see enough of him with the rest of their core and actually played better after he got hurt, though his absence was more noticeable in the playoffs.
In a recent article predicting future extensions, Bleacher Report projected that the Pistons wouldn’t give Ivey one, instead letting him play out his rookie deal and enter restricted free agency, which would be somewhat of a slight after Ivey was productive and healthy for two seasons before his freak injury.
The Pistons would still have team control, so this wouldn’t be that risky in terms of potentially losing Ivey, but it might be in terms of his next contract.
Jaden Ivey’s extension: Should the Pistons try to get a better deal now?
It’s understandable that the Pistons wouldn’t want to commit to a guy who hasn’t played since breaking his leg in January, but it could backfire if they don’t.
Given the context, the Pistons might be able to get Ivey on a team-friendly deal if they offer him an extension this summer, one that might look like a bargain if he comes back fully healthy and continues to improve.
If Detroit chooses to pass on that option and Ivey has a big breakout season, that next contract could be a lot more expensive. Ivey was averaging 18 points, four rebounds and four assists while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range before getting hurt. He was great as a catch-and-shoot 3-point option (45.2%) and showed improvement on defense.
If Ivey builds upon that and is giving the Pistons 20+ points per game, he’ll have a much stronger negotiating position than he does now, when the Pistons might be able to lock him into a better deal before that happens.
Both options carry some amount of risk, and my guess is the Pistons will error on the side of caution when it comes to Ivey’s ceiling and injury after only seeing him for 30 games this season.
If Ivey has a breakout season and earns a bigger payday, it’s a great problem for the Pistons to have, but it’s one they could potentially avoid by signing him now.