Pistons trade sends Jaden Ivey out, adds Huerter and Šarić; Bulls reshape depth chart

A three-team NBA deal ahead of Thursday’s 3:00 p.m. ET trade deadline has reset the short-term direction for three franchises: the Detroit Pistons added perimeter shooting and frontcourt insurance, the Chicago Bulls rebuilt their guard room around youth plus a veteran stabilizer, and the Minnesota Timberwolves cleared money and roster flexibility.

The swap centers on Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. heading to Chicago, with Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić going to Detroit. Minnesota’s role is largely financial and transactional, also sending Detroit a protected 2026 first-round pick swap and receiving cash.

The trade terms, clearly laid out

Chicago’s return is a blend of upside and experience, while Detroit’s is more “win-now depth.” Minnesota’s piece is mainly about relief and flexibility.

The key practical detail for Chicago: both Conley and Ivey can be treated as movable pieces immediately, either in follow-up trades before the deadline or as part of an offseason plan.

Bulls depth chart: a crowded backcourt, fast decisions

The Bulls were already guard-heavy, and this trade makes the logjam impossible to ignore. With Ivey arriving and Conley added as a veteran organizer, Chicago now has multiple ball-handlers competing for minutes.

The most likely near-term outcome is a rotation built around:

• Primary creators: Coby White and Josh Giddey

• Secondary slasher/pressure guard: Jaden Ivey

• Spacing/shot creation: Anfernee Simons (acquired in a separate move)

• Defensive connector minutes: Ayo Dosunmu

• Stabilizer/insurance: Mike Conley Jr.

That’s a lot of overlap, and it increases the chances of another Bulls move before Thursday afternoon. Even if nothing else happens, minutes will be tight, and the coaching staff will have to pick between development (Ivey) and stability (Conley) on many nights.

Why Detroit did it: shooting and playoff-proof depth

For Detroit, the headline is fit. Huerter brings a long track record as a high-volume perimeter shooter and movement spacer—skills that can scale next to star creators without needing the ball constantly. Šarić, even if he’s been underused this season, gives the Pistons another playable big who can pass and keep the offense flowing in second units.

Detroit also comes away with a protected 2026 first-round pick swap from Minnesota, giving it another lever for future trades even while operating like a contender right now.

What it means for Jaden Ivey’s role

Ivey’s 2025-26 production has been modest (8.2 points in 33 games), and his role in Detroit had been squeezed by roster priorities. In Chicago, the path is different: the Bulls can experiment with Ivey as a downhill guard who bends the defense, particularly when paired with shooters.

The complication is that Chicago already has multiple players who need the ball. If the Bulls keep everyone through the deadline, Ivey may be asked to impact games in shorter bursts—push tempo, attack the rim, and defend—rather than run the show.

Timberwolves angle: cap relief and flexibility, not a basketball upgrade

Minnesota’s motivation is the cleanest to summarize: shedding Conley’s money and opening room to maneuver. Conley is on an expiring contract, so Chicago can treat him as either a short-term veteran presence or a piece to reroute again quickly.

The Timberwolves also sent cash in the deal, a detail that underscores how financially oriented their involvement was. In competitive terms, Minnesota is betting that flexibility is worth more right now than keeping an aging point guard who has slipped into a smaller role.

What to watch before the deadline

This trade creates pressure for follow-ups, especially in Chicago. Three things to monitor through Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET:

1. Whether Conley is flipped again as a salary-matching piece

2. Whether Chicago consolidates guards to clarify the rotation

3. How Detroit deploys Huerter—starter minutes vs. a high-leverage bench spacer

No matter what comes next, the first-order impact is already clear: Detroit upgraded shooting depth for a stretch run, while Chicago swapped immediate wing help for a younger guard with upside and a veteran who can steady games in the short term.

Sources consulted: Reuters, NBA.com, Spotrac, Basketball-Reference