The Detroit Pistons took major steps towards their future success in last month’s 2022 NBA Draft, selecting 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard Jaden Ivey with the No. 5 overall selection out of Purdue; they subsequently signed him to his first professional contract soon afterward. Shortly afterward, Pistons GM Troy Weaver took things a step further by acquiring Jalen Duren in a trade with Charlotte.
They’ll be teaming up with 2021 1st round Draft selection Cade Cunningham as the Pistons look to take the next step in their rebuilding process.
And according to former Michigan Wolverines Fab Five member and current sports analyst Jalen Rose, Ivey is in for a big first professional season in the NBA.
“The man is a blur with the ball,” Rose said at the Detroit Golf Club during the 12th-annual Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Celebrity Golf Classic. “He has a great court vision and right now, Troy (Weaver) don’t get mad at me. I saw my guy Troy and Rob Murphy, and they’re like, ‘Jaden Ivey ain’t missing a shot in practice.'”
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Jaden Ivey is predicted to have a big 1st NBA season
“When you talk to me about the Pistons, it made me think about great backcourts,” Rose continued. “I think we now have another All-Star backcourt in Jaden and Cade Cunningham. I believe the way Cade led and matured on and off the floor last year and was able to create his own shot and be more effective and efficient.”
“Now for him to have somebody that’s going to make the game easier for him – because Ivey’s a blur. He’s been knocking down shots in practice, working really hard, and I’m really excited about the potential of our team.”
The Pistons will begin the 2022-23 regular season on Thursday, October 19 against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena.
