Point guard Jaden Ivey is undoubtedly receiving uneven minutes under new coach Monty Williams and that “has sparked some tension” among the Detroit Pistons’ top decision-makers, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The Pistons (2-17) have lost a franchise-record 16 straight games and next get to face an angry Cleveland Cavaliers team that’s looking to bounce back after a disappointing home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Ivey started 73 games last season, but has started just five under Williams and seemingly now has been moved to at least a temporary bench role. He played just 13 minutes in Thursday’s road loss to the New York Knicks.
He does seem to be handling it well and taking it in stride for the time being.
“There wasn’t anything said,” Ivey told Fischer. “Once I saw what was going on, coming off the bench was no problem for me. I love every single one of these dudes in here. I’d ride for them any day. Coming off the bench isn’t a confidence thing or a downer for me. I’m still confident in my game and play the same way.”
- Should Ivey’s role remain in flux, other teams are likely to start calling the Pistons to talk trade, Fischer noted. That said, the Pistons are more likely to contemplate trading their veteran players, with the likes of Bojan Bogdanovic, Monte Morris and Alec Burks drawing interest.
- Bogdanovic is expected to return from a calf injury and make his season debut on Saturday vs. the Cavs, as we relayed here.
- Williams said he doesn’t expect to be involved in the Pistons’ trade conversations. That will be the job of GM Troy Weaver. “Troy tells me stuff, but that’s not my job,” Williams said, via Fischer. “I trust his ability to evaluate talent. He’s one of the best in the league. He’s gonna ask me about a guy. Does he fit our style? Is he the kind of player we want? That kind of thing. But I’m not one of those coaches that’s gonna be like, ‘No’ or ‘Yes,’ that kind of thing. I gotta trust his judgment.”
- The 2010-11 Cavs and 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers are tied for the longest losing streak in one season at 26. The Sixers actually lost 28 in a row when combining two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16). Will the Pistons challenge any of those marks? Many believe so.
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