NBA Trade Rumors: Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren Could Be Moved By Detroit Pistons 6 Mar 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) center Isaiah Stewart (28) and center Jalen Duren (0) celebrates in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

'If We Had Him, We Would’ve Won Our First Playoff Series' – Detroit Pistons’ Jaden Ivey Receives High Praise From Anonymous Exec

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 7:39 AM ET

The Detroit Pistons qualified for the playoffs last season after a five-year drought but lost to the New York Knicks in six games during the first round.

The Detroit Pistons gave the New York Knicks all they could handle, and one exec believes that the former could’ve advanced to the second round if they had a 100 percent fit Jaden Ivey on their squad, which is why they’re keen to keep him and Jalen Duren in the long term by offering them extensions.

“Those guys are key guys for us. We’re not the cap-space Pistons anymore. We’re the playoff-Pistons now. If want to keep being the playoff-Pistons, we need to be really smart from here on out,” the Detroit Pistons exec said via Keith Smith of Spotrac.

Detroit Pistons Achieve Impressive Team Feat Not Seen Since 2009 After Win Vs. Chicago Bulls 6 Dec 26, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) and guard Cade Cunningham (2) celebrate after the win against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

“That means finding the right deal for us and our players. But we love the way both Jalen and Jaden have developed. Look, if we have Jaden last year, we would have won our first playoff series in forever. We believe that 100%. We’re hopeful we can get extensions done with both of those guys to keep them in Detroit for a long time,” he added.

Detroit Pistons exec expects “big” year from sophomore swingman

In the same interview, the anonymous Detroit Pistons exec expressed his high hopes for Ron Holland, the fifth overall pick of last year’s NBA Draft. The 20-year-old forward balled out in the recently concluded Summer League in Las Vegas, as he was named in the All-Summer League Second Team.

Phoenix Suns Vs Detroit Pistons Odds, Picks, Moneyline NBA 2024-25 Season 12/21/2024 5 Oct 11, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland II (00) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

“Did you see a better player out here (Las Vegas) than Ron? If you say you did, you better be ready for an argument! Ron was so good. We said it when we drafted him that we felt like we got one of the best players in the draft,” the front office member said.

“As a rookie, he just got better every single day. Now, he’s going to break out and have an incredible season. The jumper and the free throw shooting? Those are real. Big, big, BIG year coming for Ron,” he added.