The Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Chicago Bulls are reportedly finalizing an intriguing three-team trade just ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, marking a significant shake-up for all three franchises. According to reports from ESPN, the deal will see Pistons guard Jaden Ivey and Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley heading to Chicago. In exchange, the Pistons will receive Bulls guard Kevin Huerter and forward Dario Saric, along with some strategic financial maneuvers for Minnesota.
This trade allows Minnesota to conduct a first-round pick swap in the 2026 draft, a move that simultaneously places them under the first apron of the league’s salary cap. This financial strategy positions the Timberwolves as viable contenders in the race for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who could be on the move ahead of the upcoming deadline.
Jaden Ivey, 23, was selected as the No. 5 overall pick by the Pistons in the 2022 NBA Draft after a standout career at Purdue. Despite facing injuries that limited his performance last season, he finds himself on a talented Bulls squad. Currently, he is logging a career-low average of 16.8 minutes per game, yet with Detroit leading the Eastern Conference, he has an opportunity to showcase his skills further as the season progresses. Ivey’s status as a restricted free agent this offseason adds another layer of complexity to this trade.
On the other hand, both Conley, Huerter, and Saric are on expiring contracts, making this trade a crucial moment for their respective careers as they seek new opportunities or contracts in the offseason.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how this new arrangement impacts the trajectories of the Pistons, Timberwolves, and Bulls as they each look to solidify their standings moving forward in the challenging landscape of the NBA.