Jaden Ivey's strengths and weaknesses: Detroit Pistons player evaluations

New York Times

18-06-2025

A major crux of the Detroit Pistons' offseason plans is gauging what type of player Jaden Ivey can become. He started all but one of the games he played during his rookie season, then averaged fewer points, assists, rebounds, steals and minutes the following year in a role that fluctuated and left questions about his potential and fit.
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In the 30 games Ivey played before fracturing his left fibula in 2024-25, he began answering questions with his play.
The 23-year-old was on pace for career bests in points, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and rebounds. The game was seemingly beginning to slow for Ivey, as he was playing with better pace to provide more offensive impact. His 3-point shooting, at 40.9 percent on 154 total attempts, was one area that improved, helping to make Detroit more dynamic.
Although Ivey has a much smaller sample from 2024-25 than the rest of his teammates, let's look at where he was best and which areas of his game he can fine-tune.
Similar to his backcourt running mate, Cade Cunningham, Ivey's highest percentage from behind the arc comes on catch-and-shoot 3s. Slotting Ivey back in along with Cunningham should immediately create more spacing for Cunningham, assuming Ivey can remain around 45.2 percent on catch-and-shoot triples.
Opposing defenses would be forced to stay more attached to Ivey, which should allow Cunningham more room to create for himself and others.
Although Cunningham shot significantly more, Ivey is a better 3-point shooter off the dribble. Ivey became more comfortable coming off screens and drilling 3s when defenders were in drop coverage.
Given Ivey's speed, his 3-point shooting progression could eventually open his offensive game beyond what we have seen from him so far.
Scoring downhill has been a skill for Ivey since before even making the NBA. But his knack for aggressively attacking the rim has only progressed. He converted roughly 60 percent of his attempts in the restricted area, and his simply getting into the restricted area can lead to spray 3s for his teammates.
Opposing players are often cautious with closing out too closely because of Ivey's ability to blow by defenders. If his jumper continues to improve, defenders will be forced to decide between properly closing out and potentially being blown by or giving cushion and then perhaps giving up an easier look at a triple.
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No matter how proficient Ivey becomes behind the arc, his instinctual downhill scoring capability will always keep defenders on their toes.
During the early stages of Ivey's career, like most young players who have relied on their speed for the majority of their lives, it seemed as if he had only one speed. Though moving fast in the NBA has its advantages, there's a need for changes of pace.
Ivey's speed last season almost seemed more potent than the prior two because he implemented more pace and learned how to slow down.
Ivey's developing patience was obvious in pick-and-roll situations. Rather than barreling around screens at top speed looking to get to the rim or create for others, Ivey has become more nuanced in how he approaches pick-and-roll actions.
Getting defenders on your hip in pick-and-rolls as the ballhandler, as Ivey did against Jared McCain, allowed Isaiah Stewart to roll and forced Andre Drummond to be on his heels as Ivey scooped in for a lefty layup. These plays still aren't consistent from Ivey, but look for the Pistons to put him in more pick-and-roll situations to encourage more growth in that department.
There are clear limitations to Ivey's becoming a playmaker, given Cunningham averaged the second-most assists in the league last season.
That said, the only time Ivey has averaged more than 4.0 assists per game was during his rookie season, when he was good for a career-best 5.2. Dating back to Ivey's days at Purdue, facilitating was never his strong suit. His career best in two seasons at the university was his sophomore year, when he averaged 3.2.
Although Ivey has been gradually adding more pace and nuance to his game, there are still times when he can move a bit too fast, become out of control and create unforced errors.
If Ivey can continue evolving as a better overall scorer, his assist numbers should naturally begin to increase as he draws more attention from defenses. Ivey could also alleviate Cunningham of some playmaking duties to allow Cunningham to further expand on his offensive game.
Although Ivey's defensive rating was a career best, given his athletic gifts, it's simply not enough. He possesses all the physical tools necessary to be a high-level perimeter defender.
In the majority of his matchups, Ivey is quicker and faster than the players he guards. The Purdue product is 6 feet 4 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, which allows him to play the passing lanes well. This isn't to say Ivey is Detroit's worst defender, but there is potential for Ivey to be so much more defensively.
He has a quick-twitch type of athleticism that not many of his peers do. It's time Ivey takes a leap on the defensive side, similar to the one he took offensively last season.