DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons traded former lottery pick Jaden Ivey to Chicago, who also acquired Mike Conley. Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric head in the opposite direction to Detroit. Minnesota completed a salary dump of Conley’s $10.7 million contract. The Timberwolves now sit below the second apron. Here are my trade grades.
Trade Grades: Pistons Trade Jaden Ivey In Three-Team Trade
Chicago Bulls Get A Promising And Veteran Guard
Both Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu will be unrestricted free agents this summer. The Bulls could trade either player before Thursday’s deadline. They could also lose both after the season. By acquiring Ivey, the Bulls bring in a promising guard. He has struggled to stay on the court. They now control his future. Ivey will be a restricted free agent this summer. He has not reached his potential. The Bulls could leverage that in negotiations. They may retain him long-term at a favorable price. Ivey is a dynamic guard. In his first three seasons, he averaged 16.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. He shot 42.9 percent from the field. He shot 35.2 percent from deep.
Grade: B
Detroit Pistons Get Shooting And Flexibility
The Pistons moved off Ivey’s contract before this summer. They needed outside shooting. They also did not want to handle his restricted free agency. The Pistons were not going to re-sign Ivey. They moved him to a better situation. They also gained a pick swap.
The 2026 pick swap via Minnesota could move the Pistons up seven spots in the draft. Detroit ranks 21st in three-point accuracy. They rank 27th in three-point volume. That reflects their shooting struggles. Duncan Robinson, Daniss Jenkins and Cade Cunningham are the only rotation shooters the opposition respect. In theory, Huerter helps. He has shot 37.1 percent on 5.6 attempts for his career. That marks him as a legitimate shooter. The problem is his current season. He is shooting just 31.4 percent on 5.1 attempts.
Grade: B
The Timberwolves Get The Salary Dump They Need
The Wolves moved under the first-apron payroll threshold. They still pay nearly $4 million in luxury tax. Moving off Conley’s $10.4 million salary removes restrictive trade and roster rules. That move gives them needed flexibility. They hope to use it in a Giannis pursuit. They must hope Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and Jaden McDaniels form an appealing offer to Milwaukee. Conley provided veteran leadership. The locker room will miss him. His age reduced his on-court impact. Minnesota will not suffer on the court without him.
Grade: B
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