Jalen Duren on making first NBA All-Star Game with Detroit Pistons
Jalen Duren couldn’t stop grinning while discussing making his first All-Star Game. “It’s hard not to be happy. It’s a testament to the work.”
The Detroit Pistons have made their first trade of the season, dealing Jaden Ivey to the rival Chicago Bulls.
The Pistons are acquiring Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Free Press on Tuesday, Feb. 3. The Pistons also get the right to swap 2026 first-round picks with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the deal, protected 1-19. Currently, the Pistons have the No. 29 overall pick while the T’wolves are at No. 23.
Ivey is in the final season of the four-year, $33 million contract he signed as a rookie in 2022. He will become a restricted free agent this offseason if his qualifying offer is picked up, after he and the Pistons failed to reach an extension agreement last summer.
He was in the midst of the best season of his career in 2024-25 before a broken fibula ended his season early on Jan. 1, 2025, averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and four assists in roughly 30 minutes per game. Ivey’s return this season was delayed by an arthroscopic knee procedure in October, but he made his debut in November. His playing time and numbers have dipped this season, averaging 8.2 points and 1.6 assists in 16.8 minutes per game, including two starts.
Huerter, 27, is averaging 10.9 points on 31.4% shooting on 3s on 5.1 attempts per game. He’s a career 37.1% shooter from 3. He was the No. 19 overall pick out of Maryland by Atlanta in the 2018 draft.
Saric, 31, has appeared in five games this season with Sacramento.
The Pistons approach the Feb. 5 trade deadline firmly atop the Eastern Conference. At 36-12, they are on pace for more than 60-plus wins and are in the midst of their best season since 2005-06.
They will be well-represented at All-Star weekend, with Cade Cunningham being named a starter and J.B. Bickerstaff and his staff selected to coach one of three teams in a new round-robin tournament format.
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X @omarisankofa.
