After injuring his ankle against the Wizards last weekend in an eventual 105-99 win, Pistons lottery pick Jaden Ivey was held out for the rest of Detroit’s Summer League action. Head coach Dwane Casey clarified that Ivey’s absence was precautionary, per Mike Curtis of the Detroit News.
“[Ivey’s] OK, just a good turned ankle and he bounced back like a trooper,” Casey said. “He wanted to play, but the medical staff held him out.”
The 20-year-old was selected by Detroit in this year’s draft with the fifth pick after a stellar showing at Purdue. During his second and final college season in 2021/22, Ivey averaged 17.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 0.9 SPG. He was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, and the All-American Second Team for his efforts.
Despite playing just five quarters of Summer League basketball, the 6’4″ shooting guard averaged 15.0 PPG, 4.0 APG and 3.0 RPG in Las Vegas while shooting 50% from beyond the arc.
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- With the Pistons’ five-game Summer League run in the rear view, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic examines the club’s personnel heading into training camp. Though the team currently has 15 guaranteed deals on its main roster and both two-way slots filled, Edwards notes that, with $8-10MM in unused cap space, Detroit’s front office could look to make further adjustments to the team. Edwards projects depth charts for the roster as currently comprised, noting that only point guard Cade Cunningham and power forward Saddiq Bey appear guaranteed to start on opening night.
- Cavaliers rookie shooting guard Ochai Agbaji, selected with the No. 14 pick out of reigning NCAA champion Kansas this year, appears to be headed for a rotation role, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Agbaji could be used to bolster Cleveland’s long-range shooting as an off-ball option. “We know how great of a shooter he is and how good he is running off screens,” said Summer League head coach Mike Gerrity, who serves as a player development coach in the regular season under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “I imagine that is going to be a way that J.B. is going to utilize him come the regular season.”
- Prior to an unfortunate (minor) right hamstring injury, Bulls rookie first-round pick Dalen Terry was rounding into form as a promising finisher and versatile defender who could contribute to Chicago’s rotation in the fall, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Johnson adds that second-year center Marko Simonovic had an uneven second Summer League and voices skepticism about Simonovic’s ability to crack Chicago’s center rotation behind starter Nikola Vucevic and new backup Andre Drummond. Johnson also floats Summer League Chicago reserve center Makur Maker as a potential fit for Chicago’s open two-way player slot next to undrafted rookie Justin Lewis.
Maker and Lewis showed promise and would have great two way potential. Maker has more skills than his brother did IMO and was probably the victim of everyone remembering how his brother flamed out. I would even go so far to say he should probably be on the team instead of Bradley who’s a waste. I can see why Donovan questions Simonvic’s consistency as it was apparent in Summer League. But he is better than last year and stronger so there is hope as he’s still young. Terry did improve also and Lewis flashed potential so all in all I was impressed. Looks like the end for Malcom Hill I’m afraid for the other two way.
I liked what Maker could do and we need anyone his size and he’s willing to shoot 3s so perfect 2 way since we have 1618 guards, I don’t think simonovic is an nba player he and Bradley are 2 wasted roster spots
I support small markets 7-year entire rebuild
Ex
Pistons
I don’t support big markets 7- year entire rebuild
Ex
Rockets
The ceiling of Green and Smith is not top 30 players
When you draft role players every year, It takes too many years to rebuild
@Sill
You have no idea what his ceiling is Give us all a break dude. He’s what….19?
Detroit is not a small market
Ochai Agbaji …….. great pick. NYK will regret passing on him. Think mmmmmm
Ray Allen …….. yup
Cade, Burks, Livers, Bey, Olynyk
Ivey, Stewart, Braxton Key/Diallo, Killian Hayes
They need more shooting at the 2/3 spots. They obviously have a couple of others that should see minutes in certain lineups as well, but as of now, that’s probably their best bet
Ivey & Stew will start. Livers will be an energy guy off the bench. Olynyk will get traded before the season starts