Kevin Huerter finally delivering value for Detroit Pistons after trade

Nearly two months after trading for Kevin Huerter, the value of the deal for the Detroit Pistons is becoming more clear.

The veteran wing, in his first start with the team, had his best performance as a Piston – 22 points on 9-for-14 overall shooting and 4-for-7 from 3.

On a night Detroit was without its best shooter, Duncan Robinson, Huerter gave his best approximation. With Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart and Caris LeVert also sidelined, his scoring helped power the Pistons to a 129-108 blowout over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, March 26.

It continued what has been a strong all-around March for Huerter, who finally has a spot in the rotation. The Feb. 3 trade, which sent 2022 No. 5 overall pick Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-way deal, initially looked like a wash with Huerter riding the bench. But now Huerter is delivering for a Pistons team preparing for a long playoff run.

Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (27) shoots in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

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“Kev’s nice, man,” said Jalen Duren, who led the Pistons with 30 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks against the Pelicans. “Just playing against him over the last few years, I’d seen him as just a shooter. Him being here these last couple of weeks, I see he has a lot more to his game. He’s a guy who can, if you run him off the line he can get in the paint, make plays, finish. He’s meshed really well with the guys. Just in the locker room, as a teammate, he’s been really cool. I’m excited, man. I’m excited for what he can bring to the team and continue to grow with him.”

Huerter’s breakout performance came hours after the Bulls announced that Ivey will miss the rest of the season while managing left knee soreness. It has been a tough season for the 24-year-old guard, who suffered a broken left fibula on Jan. 1, 2025, and has since been trying to get his health – and his career – back on track.

Ivey was on a tear prior to the injury, averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and four assists per game on career-best shooting splits. The leg cost him the rest of last season, and he was expected to be ready in time for the 2025-26 campaign. But he underwent a arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in October to relieve ongoing discomfort, delaying his season debut to November.

Ivey appeared in 33 games with the Pistons after making his debut Nov. 22, but wasn’t 100% healthy. He averaged 8.2 points while shooting 45% overall (and 37.2% from 3) with a reduced minutes load, but the team had questions about his long-term viability as a restricted free agent this summer, and his ability to contribute this season.

The deal sent Ivey to the Bulls in exchange for Huerter and Dario Saric, who was waived, and a 2026 first-round pick swap with the Minnesota Timberwolves. If the draft were held today, the Pistons would jump from picking 28th to 23rd, due to the pick swap.

“I don’t think this is a situation where the word is it ‘didn’t work,’” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of the trade on Feb. 21. I just feel like a business decision had to be made, and it gave JI an opportunity to get a fresh start, and hopefully it works out well for both of us.”

Detroit Pistons guard Kevin Huerter (27) dribbles in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Ultimately, the Pistons are gambling that Huerter’s ability to impact winning now will be more beneficial than what Ivey’s potential down the road. He only played four games with the Bulls before the team announced Feb. 21 that he would miss at least two weeks with left knee soreness.

The decision to shut Ivey down for the rest of the season may be best for his health, but it also costs him the opportunity to audition his talents with restricted free agency approaching. The Bulls, and Ivey, will have to decide if re-signing makes sense or if taking the qualifying offer and entering unrestricted free agency in 2027 is the better play.

Huerter didn’t appear in six of seven games before he was promoted to the rotation on March 5. He checks numerous boxes on the wing – as a shooter, finisher, secondary playmaker and defender. Entering Thursday, he had made 15 of his 19 shots at the rim with the Pistons. He makes smart decisions with the ball and rarely turns it over.

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