Three Team Deal Sends Jaden Ivey to Bulls and Huerter to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have traded their former first-round draft pick, guard Jaden Ivey, on Tuesday. Ivey will play for the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team trade that involves Minnesota. Detroit has acquired sharpshooter Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric from the Bulls. In addition, they will receive a protected 2026 first-round draft pick from Minnesota.

Veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. will join Ivey in a trade from Minnesota to Chicago. Minnesota will not receive any players as part of a trade but will reap significant financial benefits. The trade deadline is two days away on Thursday.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the trade on Tuesday afternoon. Charania stated that Minnesota has received significant tax relief.

The Timberwolves will pursue Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo before Thursday’s trade deadline.

Just in: Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit have agreed to a multi-team deal that sends Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Detroit also receives a 2026 first-round protected swap from Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/pgxqr1WT90

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2026

Detroit has been struggling with a lack of perimeter shooting

Detroit has been struggling with a lack of perimeter shooting despite their 36-12 record as they are atop the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Pistons have identified their only weakness as a lack of three-point shooting despite their strong record.

The Detroit Pistons are 27th in three-pointers made with 11.1 per game. They are 21st in three-point percentage with 34.8%. The team has acquired Kevin Huerter, who has a strong track record as a three-point shooter. He has a 37.5% three-point shooting percentage over his eight-year NBA career.

However, he has been shooting only 31.4% from beyond the three-point line this year. Despite his poor shooting this year, Detroit believes that his track record will translate better than his statistics. He averages 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game this year over 44 games.

Ivey has struggled to find his role since returning from injury. The fifth overall draft pick in 2022 suffered a broken left fibula during his rookie season. The young forward also sat out the start of this season after undergoing knee surgery in October.

Ivey has only averaged 8.2 points and 16.8 minutes per game over 33 games this season, with only two starts. He has also connected on 45 percent of his shots and 37.2 percent of his three-pointers. The former Purdue All-American has started 164 of his first 181 games in the NBA before this season.

Saric came to Chicago just a few days ago. The Bulls traded for him on Saturday from Sacramento. He has only played five games for the Kings this season. The Pistons will use a trade exception for his $5.4 million expiring contract. The Pistons needed to create a roster spot since they traded for two players for one returning player.

Minnesota has cleared salary cap space without getting anything back. ESPN’s Bobby Marks reports Minnesota has cut its luxury tax bill from $24 million to $3.8 million. The Wolves are now below the first apron on the salary cap. This means they can send out less salary than they bring back in a trade.

The Wolves want to trade for Antetokounmpo. There have been several reports about Minnesota pursuing the two-time MVP as the Bucks consider their trade options before the deadline.