As Pistons rookie Jaden Ivey prepares for his first Summer League experience, he’s already focused on the long-term question of how he’ll blend with new backcourt partner Cade Cunningham, writes Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. Cunningham may not play much, if at all, in Las Vegas, but he’s on the roster along with all of Detroit’s recent draft picks and he has been participating in practice.
“I’m just trying to learn, most importantly, what (Cunningham) goes to and how I can help benefit his game,” Ivey said. “We’re just there for each other. We’re still a work in progress, still learning. We’re not going to get it on the same day, so it’s going to take some practices to get used to that. I feel like as a team, we’re coming together and we’re trying to build something here. We just have to keep working as partners.”
Ivey possesses the speed and explosiveness to make him a potential game changer on offense. The Pistons want him to take advantage of his athleticism and his 6’9″ wingspan to be a difference maker on defense as well.
“In practice, I feel like I’m being really aggressive,” Ivey said. “Just that Pistons mindset, that Bad Boys mindset that you’ve go out there every day and get back on the defensive end. I feel like I’m really improved in that aspect.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Pistons could open nearly $69MM in cap room next summer if they want to make a significant impact in the 2023 free agent market, writes Marlowe Alter of The Detroit Free Press. Alter identifies several wing players the team could target with that money, with Khris Middleton and Andrew Wiggins topping the list.
- The Bucks decided to re-sign Serge Ibaka to provide depth in the frontcourt, notes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Ibaka didn’t make much of an impact after being acquired at the trade deadline and he probably won’t have a larger role next season, but his defensive presence and experience give him value as a backup big man.
- Kessler Edwards, Isaiah Roby and Juancho Hernangomez are among the players the Pacers should be keeping an eye on, contends James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star. Edwards and Hernangomez are unrestricted free agents and Roby would join them if he clears waivers today.
Wiggins would be an interesting fit for the Pistons. His defense and scoring would be great, but he might not want to go back to being the main go-to scorer again like he was in Minnesota
Wiggins won’t be the goto scorer. This is Cades team and the offense will run through him. I like what Detroit is doing. They’ve got their franchise cornerstone in Cade, high end complimentary players in Ivey and Bey. Role players in Stewart and Bagley. Wiggins would fall into the high end complimentary players or perhaps be the leagues best 6th man which they currently lack
So Wiggins goes from all star game starter/ second best player on a championship team, to a 6th man if he goes to Detroit…. That Makes sense
Never should have got rid of Middleton in the first place.
“Detroit has traded Jerami Grant to Portland for 2025 first-round pick via Milwaukee, sources tell ESPN. The trade also has some movement in this year’s NBA draft. Detroit swapped its second-round pick (No. 36 overall) for Portland’s second-rounder (No. 46 overall).Jun 22, 2022”
Knicks own that Milwaukee pick now. After the Duren trade. I’m sure Knicks could of made a better offer for Grant. This is cheap imo.
Cade and Ivey are going to be a serious backcourt. Both can play the point or the wing. Cade is so unselfish. Ivey is going to love it in Detroit.
Very early but Cade and Jaden is a top 5 young backcourt in the league.
Just off the top and in no order you’ve got Trae and DeJounte, Ja and Desmond, Zo and LaVine then Shai and Giddey that’s 4 and I’d have these two in at 5th.
But with them being so young aswell they will develop together and get better. In a couple years these guys will be a top 10 backcourt in the league.
Pistons need to build around these guys and so far they have done well with Bey and Duren in particular
Trae and DeJounte, Ja and Desmond, Zo and LaVine …
Yeah ….. nice list right. Really want to see how Hawks do. Great pickup imo.
I don’t like the Wiggins fit he almost certainly ask for Max to play in Detroit I’d rather them find a great bench scorer and another elite shooter they have playmaking now with cade ivy and Killian. If they could find a way to get a guy like Tyler hero probably cost you some extra cap room and a few picks but that’s what Detroit is missing if they could offer some financial flex for Miami to get Durant something like Duncan Robinson and hero to Detroit, Detroit sends nets 2 1st 2 2nds and Kelly o. Miami sends 1 st and 2 2nds.+ Salary matching players to nets.. nets send Durant to Miami..idk maybe you would need a 4 the team but it’s possible with weaver