Former Purdue basketball standout Jaden Ivey is making a significant move in his professional career, transitioning from the Detroit Pistons to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade that also involves the Minnesota Timberwolves. As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, this deal sees veteran Mike Conley Jr. heading to Chicago from Minnesota, while the Pistons acquire a 2026 first-round pick from the Timberwolves, along with Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric.
Ivey, who was selected fifth overall by the Pistons in the 2022 NBA Draft following a standout college career, experienced a mix of triumph and challenges in his first few seasons. Notably, he was recognized as a first-team All-Big Ten player in 2022 and finished sixth in the Rookie of the Year voting the following year, showcasing his potential by averaging 16.3 points and 5.2 assists while starting 73 games.
Last season, however, was marred by injury; Ivey sustained a broken left fibula in January and made his return in November after missing the first 15 games of the current season. This season, he has been averaging 8.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 2.2 rebounds, primarily coming off the bench during his fourth year in the league.
Throughout his career, Ivey has played 214 games in the NBA, starting 166 and averaging 14.9 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 rebounds while maintaining shooting percentages of 35.4% from beyond the arc and 43.1% overall. As he joins the Bulls, currently ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference, Ivey departs from the Pistons, who are presently the top seed in the East.
Before stepping onto the professional stage, Ivey played three seasons at Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, before finishing his high school career at LaLumiere. During his time at Purdue, he accumulated an impressive 880 points and garnered multiple All-American honors as a sophomore, averaging 17.3 points, 3.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds.
Ivey’s relocation to Chicago marks a pivotal moment in his career, offering him a fresh opportunity to shine with a new team and contribute to their success in the competitive landscape of the NBA. With a promising start to his career and the chance for a comeback season, basketball fans will be eager to see how he adapts and thrives in this new environment.