When the Detroit Pistons traded Jaden Ivey for Kevin Huerter and a pick swap, there was hope that this could be a win-win trade, but so far, the only ones with anything to show for it are in the Motor City.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Pistons were getting a more experienced scorer who looked like a better on-paper fit, not to mention a first-round picks swap with the Timberwolves. The real benefit might have been getting off Ivey\u2019s cap hold and future contract negotiations, which are going to be tricky.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Bulls were getting a second draft guy with high potential onto a roster primed for a rebuild. Ivey\u2019s injury was worth the risk for Chicago, who is in the nascency of their rebuild and need high-end talent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But as of right now, the trade has hit a peak for the Pistons<\/a> and a valley for the Bulls.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jaden Ivey is out for the season\u00a0<\/p>\n The Bulls announced yesterday that Jaden Ivey would miss the\u00a0remainder\u00a0of the season with a knee injury, which was not at all surprising given that he has barely played since being traded.\u00a0<\/p>\n If Ivey is ever going to reach his immense potential, he\u00a0has to\u00a0be healthy, as his current game relies heavily on his athleticism and when you take that away, what you are left with is the guy the Pistons watched for half a season.\u00a0<\/p>\n It was a smart move by the Bulls, who are tanking anyway, but it does put them in a precarious position going into the offseason. To make Ivey a restricted free agent, they\u00a0have to\u00a0extend the qualifying offer, which is likely more than\u00a0they\u2019d\u00a0like to pay Ivey.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ivey\u2019s QO\u00a0will\u00a0be around $9 million, so he may just take that on a one-year deal to rebuild his value, which would also give him the right to veto any trade.\u00a0This is exactly why the Pistons didn\u2019t want to deal with this, as the Bulls will either have to offer him a multi-year deal at a lower annual value or just let him play out one season and become an unrestricted free agent.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Pistons\u2019 front office\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0admit it, but this is the real reason they traded Ivey<\/a>, as they\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0want to deal with the mess or the risk, but the trade is starting to bear other fruit for the Pistons.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kevin Huerter is a big upgrade if he continues to play well\u00a0<\/p>\n