Jaden Ivey Injury Update Leaves Easy Decision for Detroit Pistons

Heading into the upcoming season, the Detroit Pistons were anticipating the return of Jaden Ivey as a major storyline, but he faced a setback before even playing an official game. Ivey, the former No. 5 pick, had shown significant development in the early stages of the 2025 campaign, thriving under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and dispelling concerns about his ability to coexist with Cade Cunningham at a high level.

During that period, Ivey posted career-best numbers, averaging 17.6 points per game and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 40.9% from three-point range. However, his progress was halted in a January matchup against the Orlando Magic, where he suffered a leg injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. After a 10-month recovery, he appeared fully recovered and eager to resume his career, but recent developments have introduced new challenges.

Earlier this week, the Pistons announced that Ivey underwent an arthroscopic procedure to address discomfort in his right knee, and he is scheduled to be re-evaluated in four weeks. This injury is a significant blow to the team, which had hoped to have him back without restrictions for the season, and it complicates decisions regarding his contract extension.

With an October 20th deadline for offering Ivey an extension off his rookie contract, the Pistons are now unlikely to reach a deal due to his current injury. Instead, they may reopen negotiations in the summer when Ivey becomes a restricted free agent. Despite this setback, Ivey is not expected to miss a large portion of the regular season, giving him an opportunity to play in a good number of games and demonstrate his value for a potential extension next summer.

As the Pistons wrap up their preseason and prepare for their season opener against the Chicago Bulls on October 22nd, they will have to navigate the early part of the schedule without Ivey, adding uncertainty to their plans for the year.