Detroit — During the Detroit Pistons’ playoff series against the New York Knicks, president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon had several moments when he couldn’t help but wonder, what if?
The Pistons played the entire series without the services of injured players Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart. He felt that both players could have tilted the first-round series in Detroit’s favor. However, regarding their recovery, Langdon revealed Tuesday that Ivey and Stewart will be ready for the start of training camp in early October.
“They are coming along; they will be ready for camp,” Langdon said. “Since January, we knew that J.I. was going to be out, but with Stu, not having that enforcer around the rim, that could have really helped us.”
Stewart left Game 1 against the Knicks early in the fourth quarter due to knee inflammation and subsequently missed the rest of the series. Detroit’s defense declined without its defensive anchor, who finished the regular season leading all bench players in blocks with a career-best total of 101.
Ivey’s season ended in January after he broke his left fibula early in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic. Since the start of his rehabilitation process, Ivey has shown signs of a promising return for next season. However, Langdon understands that it will take some time for Ivey to return to the player he was prior to the injury.
While making 40.9% of his 3-point shots, Ivey finished his third season averaging a career-best 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists through 30 games.
“A player coming back off an injury, there will always be concerns and thoughts in his head,” Langdon said of Ivey. “I played two different seasons after injury, and it is difficult mentally and emotionally. He wants to get back to the player he was pre-injury, playing a high level of basketball. But we feel it is our responsibility to put him in a place where he can get there as quickly as possible. He has been in here working his butt off all summer.”
Coty.Davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
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