The 2026 NBA trade deadline hasn’t officially closed yet, but we’re already seeing some big moves. Shortly after the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz finalized a major contract with Jaren Jackson Jr., news broke about a significant three-team trade involving the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Here’s a complete overview: via Shams Charania.
Bulls receive: Jaden Ivey, Mike Conley Jr.
Pistons receive: Kevin Huerter, plus a first-round pick from the Timberwolves.
This trade alleviates some immediate pressure for Minnesota, significantly reducing their luxury tax burden. The Bulls now focus on Jaden Ivey, a former top-five draft pick who will soon be a restricted free agent. Meanwhile, the Pistons aim to enhance their draft position by adding Huerter, a player noted for his smart offensive plays and shooting ability. Let’s break this down a bit further.
Bulls trade grade for Jaden Ivey
The Bulls seem keen on bringing in former lottery picks who haven’t quite panned out with their current teams. They had success with Josh Guidi and Jalen Smith, and now they’re setting their sights on Jaden Ivey. The fifth overall pick in the 2022 draft saw his career take a hit after a serious fibula injury on New Year’s Day 2025, sidelining him until late November. Since returning, his performance hasn’t quite reached previous levels, as one might expect after such a setback.
Can Ivey regain his burst? He came into the league showing impressive speed, particularly in his early games. Yet, this season, he’s struggled to get past defenders. It’s plausible that with time, he could return to form, but it’s a gamble with him heading into restricted free agency this summer. Interestingly, Huerter has been performing well for the Bulls despite his shooting woes. His advanced metrics have rated him higher than Ivey.
Ivey does show slight improvement in his shooting; he shot 41% from beyond the arc last season before his injury. This year, he’s down to 37.2%. His defensive numbers haven’t been stellar off the ball, but he’s competent when defending directly. Throughout his time in the NBA, he hasn’t scored consistently above the league average, though he’s been close recently.
The main concern for Ivey is his health, given the severity of his injury. He’s about to turn 24 and will sign a new contract as a restricted free agent. It raises the question: will the Bulls opt for Ivey over Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu? So far, Ivey hasn’t outperformed either player in the league. If Chicago is inclined to move forward with Ivey, it could make sense to trade one of them. Dosunmu holds more trade appeal, but the team may want to retain him. It’s a lot to ask Ivey to eclipse what White has accomplished at his best, particularly now as White is managing a calf strain.
Ivey and Josh Guidi do share an intriguing dynamic in the backcourt, but I’m not entirely convinced since neither excels defensively or in shooting. If Ivey regains his speed, he could potentially complement Guidi’s playmaking abilities. He doesn’t match White’s scoring volume or Dosunmu’s defensive skills. I’m not sold on their long-term efficacy as a backcourt combo in Chicago, yet they didn’t give up too much in this deal. It seems the Bulls may choose to keep both Dosunmu and Ivey and look to trade White. If Ivey returns to his scoring prowess, it raises another question of whether the Bulls can create enough opportunities on the floor for him, especially with Guidi present.
I think the Bulls might still need to make additional moves, but this is certainly a worthwhile gamble for now. It’s important for Chicago to secure Ivey to a deal that works in their favor this summer. Something like four years and $50 million could be appealing, though it might be a bit low. Negotiations could be interesting; Chicago has the ability to match any offers, and by the end of the season, we’ll see how Ivey fits into a larger role.
Pistons trade grade for Kevin Huerter
The Pistons currently lead in the Eastern Conference and have skillfully navigated the draft landscape, acquiring players who can contribute immediately. It seems they never planned on re-signing Ivey post-injury, and allowing him to establish himself again wasn’t an option with their current success this season.
Huerter’s competency as a three-point shooter is likely understated by his current 31% rate, and he adds depth to the rotation with his solid dribbling and passing skills. By trading picks with Minnesota, the Pistons also enhance their position by moving up seven spots in the first round of the 2026 draft. This is a clever return given that Ivey wasn’t part of their future plans.
Still, the Pistons likely need another ball handler and perhaps a forward to solidify their top position in the East. Even though Ivey’s value may not be as high after his injury, this trade represents a solid return for him. They should consider making a bold move before the deadline, but for a first step, this is a commendable action by Detroit.
Wolves trade grade for Mike Conley
For Minnesota, this trade centers around their luxury tax situation.
Reworking the draft to lower tax costs isn’t disastrous. There are rumors linking Minnesota to a pursuit of Giannis, suggesting further big moves could be on the horizon.
