The Detroit Pistons returned to the NBA playoffs last season after a five-year absence but were eliminated in six games by the New York Knicks during the first round. A Pistons executive believes that having a fully healthy Jaden Ivey could have been the difference needed to advance beyond the opening round, reinforcing the team’s commitment to securing long-term contracts for both Ivey and Jalen Duren.
Impact of Jaden Ivey on Last Season’s Playoff Performance
Despite their exit, the Pistons challenged the Knicks throughout the series, and the front office sees potential for even more success with Ivey’s presence. The executive emphasized the importance of the young core, stating that Detroit is no longer simply a team managing salary cap limits but is now focused on sustained playoff competitiveness. Securing contract extensions for key players like Ivey and Duren is central to this goal.
“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 executive explained through Keith Smith of Spotrac.
“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.
Optimism Surrounding Rising Talent Ron Holland
The same Pistons official expressed strong confidence in Ron Holland, the team’s fifth overall pick from last year’s NBA draft. Holland impressed throughout the Las Vegas Summer League, earning a spot on the All-Summer League Second Team at just 20 years old. The executive praised Holland’s rapid progress and projected a breakout season ahead.
“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 executive remarked.
“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.
Looking Ahead: Building a Competitive Future for Detroit
The Pistons are clearly investing in their young core to move beyond past playoff struggles and build a more competitive franchise. With Jaden Ivey’s health and development viewed as critical to breaking the franchise’s long playoff drought, Detroit’s front office appears determined to maintain continuity by locking in key contributors like Ivey and Duren. The promising outlook for Ron Holland also signals continued growth and potential impact in coming seasons. If these pieces come together, the Pistons hope to establish themselves as consistent postseason contenders moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened with Jaden Ivey?
A. His mother’s side of the family comes from Barbados and Jamaica, indicating Afro-Caribbean roots. His other grandparents were African-American. He works in acting, rapping, songwriting, and dancing.
Q. What happened to Jaden Ivey?
A. The Detroit Pistons announced on Thursday that guard Jaden Ivey had surgery for a broken fibula in his left leg. According to sources from ESPN, the 22-year-old player will be absent for much of the rest of the season.
Q. How long is Jaden Ivey’s recovery time?
A. According to a doctor, healing from an injury similar to Ivey’s usually takes 4-6 months. This includes both surgery recovery and rehabilitation. Although Ivey participated in just 30 games during the 2024-25 season, he is second on the team, scoring 17.6 points per game.
Q. How bad was Jaden Ivey’s injury?
A. Both Pistons and Magic players were upset after Jaden Ivey seriously injured his leg. The Pistons guard had surgery at Henry Ford Hospital on Thursday to fix a broken fibula in his left leg.