Bulls Bolster Backcourt In Three-Team Trade Involving Pistons, Wolves
It's trade season!
In a move involving four players on expiring contracts, the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, and Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly pulled off a three-team trade on Tuesday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Headed to the Bulls are Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr.
Headed to the Pistons are Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric.
The main motive for Minnesota here was seemingly to diminish their luxury tax bill. The Wolves just shrank their tax bill from $24M down to $3.8M and are now under the first apron, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Ivey has experienced a dip in production this season with the Pistons, averaging 8.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 33 games while shooting 45% from the field. His minutes have dropped to 16.8 per game, reflecting a reduced role after recovering from a broken fibula that sidelined him for much of the prior year. Over his career, the 2022 fifth overall pick has shown flashes of athletic scoring potential, posting 16.3 points as a rookie and peaking at 17.6 in 2024-25 before the injury.
Conley, 38, has continued his veteran presence for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his output has waned in 2025-26 with 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 44 appearances, logging 18.5 minutes nightly and struggling at 32.2% shooting. Drafted fourth overall in 2007 by Memphis, Conley has built a steady career averaging 13.7 points and 5.6 assists over 1,216 games, earning one All-Star nod and known for reliable playmaking.
Huerter is posting 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this season, with 45.5% field goal accuracy in limited action amid a back issue. His sharpshooting remains a asset, though consistency varies. Selected 19th in 2018 by Atlanta, Huerter has carved out a role as a perimeter threat, averaging double-digit scoring in most seasons.
Saric’s 2025-26 has been minimal following a January trade to Chicago from Sacramento, where he averaged just 1.0 point and 1.2 rebounds in five early games at 8.2 minutes. The 31-year-old Croatian, drafted 12th in 2014, has bounced between teams like Phoenix, Golden State, and Denver, compiling career marks of 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 498 contests, valued for versatile forward play despite recent bench duties.
