The NBA draft is a week away, and by then you’re going to hear about 7,000 rumors about the Detroit Pistons, each making different senses. Even those rooted in the truth are unlikely to happen.
I’m saying all of this to prepare you for the latest rumor involving the Detroit Pistons — the team is one of several teaming up with the Sacramento Kings to move up to fourth place in the NBA draft with the intention of Jaden to design Ivey.
This Rumor comes from Adrian Wojnarowskiand say what you want about Woj and his bombs when he’s reporting something worthy of serious study.
Look, I’m not a Jaden Ivey type. But many people are, including intelligent reviewers, who I respect. Enough that Ivey is secretly the top pick in the draft, or at least in the top three, that I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the Pistons general manager fell into that pro-Ivey camp.
I don’t think Ivey is a point guard, although Woj describes him in this clip, and I’m afraid he lacks natural passing instincts and inside play. The explosive first move is certainly there, but it didn’t translate into offensive dominance or even a productive season in the colour.
That said, that level of athleticism is something special and could make it easier for Ivey to transition from a packed college game to the wide open spaces of the NBA. Ivey certainly seems like a player who would make himself available and we know Cade Cunningham can make high-quality passes to teammates who make himself available.
So maybe it’s a match made in heaven. But again, I’m just not a true believer.
With so many teams reportedly hot for Ivey and dealing with Sacramento — the Pistons, Pacers, Knicks, Wizards — the asking price is “significant,” according to Woj.
It’s well known that the Kings are looking for a high-profile veteran in their likely vain hope of making the playoffs. So in Detroit, the conversation starts with Jerami Grant. Would it be worth giving up Grant to move up a draft spot and get the player you want? If you truly believe that Ivey is in a significantly higher league than the world’s Keegan Murrays and Bennedict Mathurins, then the answer is yes.
But if it really turns into a bidding war, the Pistons will likely be asked to ditch even more assets. I just don’t think that’s feasible. Detroit is incapable of sacrificing young pieces and they are limited in their ability to give up future first-round picks.
If the Kings make a deal, I’d bet it won’t go through with the Pistons. Just one more week and we can finally bust out all the rumors and see what the Pistons actually do on draft night.