Plenty questioned on NBA Draft night 2022 why the Pistons would add another guard to their growing rotation. How fifth overall selection Jaden Ivey would fare next to former top pick Cade Cunningham in Detroit’s system.
And throughout Ivey’s inefficient, turnover-prone season, those questions have continued.
But, on Tuesday night, there were no questions surrounding Ivey. At least for a time being.
He poured on 26 points on 9-for-20 shooting with varying degrees of difficulty on each shot. He finished 50 percent from beyond the arc and still managed to tack on 12 assists, five rebounds and a steal in the process.
The Pistons ultimately didn't come away with the victory, but it was another reason for fans to be excited about the eventual future of everything being put together.
For those in the Detroit front office, it was a glimpse into exactly what they’d drafted him for. And how he could fit alongside their cornerstone in Cunningham.
On the season, Ivey has averaged 15.4 points, 4.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds. A perfectly respectable rookie season. His efficiency, 42 percent overall and 33 percent from beyond the arc, hasn’t been perfect. But he saw a massive jump from freshman to sophomore season in college, and I would completely rule out an eventual jump in the big leagues, either.
Ivey and the Pistons now look to a matchup tonight versus the Hornets at 6 p.m.
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