By Robert Marvi
Copyright newsweek
The Detroit Pistons were a surprise team in the NBA last season. They finished 44-38 and got particularly hot in February and March, which sent them to the playoffs, where they put up a decent fight in the first round versus the New York Knicks.Detroit did a lot of that without shooting guard Jaden Ivey, who suffered a broken fibula on New Year’s Day that ended his season. While he had the second-highest scoring average on the team, he has been the subject of trade rumors lately.Insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints had a three-word description for Ivey’s status as far as being a trade candidate.”Ivey’s situation with the Pistons is unique,” Siegel wrote. “Despite internal confidence existing and the Pistons continuing to shut down speculation of Ivey being on the trade block, sources outside the organization have described the fourth-year guard’s status as ‘open for interpretation.'”Read more: Knicks Reportedly Considered Signing Free Agent Big ManThe Pistons have beefed up at the wing spot this offseason, which, Siegel points out, could possibly make them more willing to let go of Ivey.”With Ivey injured, the Pistons went on to make the playoffs and saw key contributions from others like Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II. Now that they signed Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson in free agency, has Ivey become more expendable to Detroit?”If the organization does look to make a move involving Ivey, it would be one that substantially increases their chances of competing for a title in the East. The Pistons have not offered Ivey to any team, nor are they entering the season with the mindset of trading him.”Ivey, who is entering his fourth season in the NBA, averaged 17.6 points and four assists a game while shooting 46% from the field and 40.9% from 3-point range in 30 games last season. The 2025-26 campaign will be the final one of his current contract.With LeVert and Robinson on board, Detroit may feel it has a good amount of outside shooting. However, both men have seen their 3-point accuracy fluctuate from season to season.Read more: Mark Cuban Calls Out Reporter Over Explosive Clippers-Kawhi Leonard AccusationsThe organization has built an impressive upstart roster around Cade Cunningham, who ascended to borderline superstar status last season. In addition, 22-year-old forward Ausar Thompson has shown potential as a two-way player, and center Jalen Duren is emerging as a strong rebounder and defender.With the Achilles injuries to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, the Eastern Conference is, to an extent, wide open this season. Perhaps a healthy Pistons squad could make some serious noise as a result, whether it decides to keep Ivey as a building block or deal him for a different building block.For more on the Pistons and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
