The Detroit Pistons fans were hit with the surprising news on Tuesday that their talented young guard, Jaden Ivey, has been involved in trade discussions recently. After missing most of last season with a broken fibula, Ivey has been an afterthought for the Pistons and their future plans. Before the injury, however, he had taken significant steps forward, establishing himself as a potential long-term backcourt partner to Cade Cunningham.
The Pistons' success last season, however, may have made Ivey expendable. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Ivey may find himself out the door in Detroit. Instead of giving him a lucrative, long-term extension, GM Trajan Langdon may consider moving on from him this offseason and add more size, athleticism, and shooting.
One potential trade that would check that box would be a fascinating deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The Western Conference contenders are desperately looking for more backcourt help after Kyrie Irving's injury and have the most crowded frontcourt rotation in the league. By sending combo forward PJ Washington to Detroit, the Pistons can add Ivey into the mix to help them alleviate backcourt concerns in Irving's absence.
Some Pistons may fret at the idea of parting ways with Ivey for Washington without getting back significant draft assets. While Ivey can be seen as a more valuable trade asset than Washington, he is also coming off a significant injury. Even though he has improved his shooting, he is still a better on-ball player than off-ball, making him a tricky fit next to Cunningham.
Washington, on the other hand, fills an immediate need. The 26-year-old can do a little bit of everything, including guarding multiple positions. He doesn't need the ball to be effective, as he can space the floor for the ball handlers after shooting over 38% from three last season. He also averaged over a steal and a block, highlighting his defensive playmaking and versatility.
If the Pistons are indeed worried about giving Ivey a contract extension, then trading him now makes more sense rather than playing the restricted free agency game next offseason. Getting a starting-caliber forward in return may be the best the Pistons can do and is an avenue worth exploring.