Detroit has agreed to a three-team trade on Feb. 3, 2026 that brings wing Kevin Huerter and forward Dario Šarić to the Pistons while sending guard Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls and veteran Mike Conley Jr. to Chicago from Minnesota. The move, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, also gives Detroit a 2026 first‑round protected swap from the Timberwolves. Huerter, averaging 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 44 games this season, joins a Pistons squad that leads the Eastern Conference at 36‑12. All four players involved — Huerter, Šarić, Ivey and Conley — are on expiring contracts, and Minnesota accepts no players in return while clearing salary-cap obligations.
Key Takeaways
- Trade details: Detroit receives Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić (via Chicago) plus a 2026 first‑round protected swap (via Minnesota).
- Chicago receives Mike Conley Jr. (via Minnesota) and Jaden Ivey (via Detroit) as part of the multi‑team exchange.
- Huerter is averaging 10.9 points per game and shooting 31.4% from 3‑point range this season, down from a career 37.1% mark.
- Pistons context: Detroit is 36‑12, first in the Eastern Conference, but ranks last in the NBA in 3‑pointers made (531) and 27th in attempts (1,524).
- Ivey (No. 5 pick, 2022) has averaged 8.2 ppg this season after returning from a broken left fibula and offseason knee surgery.
- Minnesota takes no players back, but moving Conley’s contract reduces an expected $24 million outlay to roughly $4 million and puts the team below the first apron.
- All players involved are on expiring deals, giving teams differing short‑term and financial incentives.
Background
The Pistons entered the 2025–26 season as a rising Eastern contender behind All‑Stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, compiling the NBA’s best record at 36‑12 by early February. Detroit’s offensive identity has featured interior scoring and playmaking, but the roster has lagged in long‑range shooting; the team ranks last in 3‑pointers made and near the bottom in attempts. General management has sought perimeter spacing to complement Cunningham and Duren for a deeper playoff push.
Kevin Huerter is a proven floor‑spacing wing across multiple stops in the league, carrying a career 3‑point percentage of 37.1% though he has struggled this campaign at 31.4%. Dario Šarić, a veteran forward with playoff experience, was briefly with Chicago after a recent deal that included De’Andre Hunter; the Bulls have been active reshaping their roster. Jaden Ivey, Detroit’s 2022 lottery pick, missed extended time after a left fibula fracture in 2024–25 and underwent knee surgery, delaying a full return to his preinjury form.
Main Event
Sources told ESPN on Feb. 3, 2026 that Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota finalized a multi‑team trade sending Huerter and Šarić to Detroit while Chicago acquired Ivey and Conley. The Pistons also receive from Minnesota a 2026 first‑round protected swap. Minnesota’s chief motivation, per reporting, was financial: shedding Conley’s remaining salary lessens projected cap charges and moves the franchise below the luxury‑tax apron that constrains in‑season flexibility.
On the court, Detroit gains an established perimeter shooter and a versatile forward who can operate as a secondary ball‑handler. Huerter has averaged 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists across 44 games this season; Šarić adds veteran frontcourt depth. Chicago obtains Conley’s steady leadership and Ivey’s upside; Conley has averaged 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in a reserve role this season.
The Bulls’ roster churn has continued: Šarić was acquired less than a week earlier in a separate sequence of moves and is now headed to Detroit, illustrating how teams are balancing short‑term roster needs with longer‑term cap engineering ahead of the trade deadline and playoff stretch. Minnesota accepted no players back, electing instead to clear salary and preserve future flexibility.
Analysis & Implications
Short term, the Pistons address their most glaring weakness: floor spacing. Adding Huerter — historically a 37.1% career 3‑point shooter despite a down year — and Šarić gives Detroit more perimeter threats alongside Duncan Robinson and others. Better spacing could unlock more driving lanes for Cunningham and more efficient touches for Duren inside, potentially improving offensive efficiency in playoff matchups against teams that defend the rim well.
For Chicago, the acquisition of Jaden Ivey is a bet on reclaiming lottery‑era upside. Ivey was a top‑five pick in 2022 who has shown starter potential when healthy; the Bulls may envision Ivey as a dynamic combo guard option off the bench or in a revamped starting lineup. Mike Conley’s veteran presence also adds a low‑usage, high‑IQ floor leader for a team navigating a retool.
Minnesota’s decision to take no players reflects a financial tradeoff: by moving Conley’s salary the Timberwolves lower near‑term payroll obligations and avoid an estimated $24 million charge that would have pushed them above the first apron. That opens roster and trade flexibility later in the season, though it leaves the Timberwolves without new on‑court reinforcements from this specific deal.
Comparison & Data
| Player | 2025–26 PPG | 3P% | RPG | APG | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Huerter | 10.9 | 31.4 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 44 |
| Career Huerter 3P% | 37.1% | ||||
| Jaden Ivey | 8.2 | — | 2.2 | 1.6 | Partial season |
| Mike Conley Jr. | 4.4 | — | 1.8 | 2.9 | Reserve role |
The table highlights that Huerter’s 3‑point percentage this season (31.4%) is well below his career norm (37.1%), suggesting Detroit is banking on regression toward his career mean or on a better fit within their offensive scheme. The Pistons’ team 3‑point totals (531 made, 1,524 attempts) indicate a structural need for additional outer shooting; adding a shooter with Huerter’s profile, even if currently below form, should materially affect spacing metrics.
Reactions & Quotes
Reporters and teams reacted quickly after the deal was reported; the initial public signal came from a noted NBA insider on social media.
“Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit have agreed to a multi‑team deal that sends Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons.”
Shams Charania, ESPN (social post)
This short post served as the primary public confirmation before team statements followed. League sources told reporters the Wolves prioritized cap relief, while the Pistons pursued perimeter shooting for the playoff push.
“Moving Conley’s contract dropped Minnesota’s estimated bill from about $24 million to roughly $4 million and got them below the first apron.”
League financial analysis (reported)
Analysts emphasized Minnesota’s financial maneuvering rather than on‑court returns; the move is framed as roster and fiscal management rather than talent exchange. Team officials have not released extended comment beyond standard transaction notices as of publication.
Unconfirmed
- Specific protections on the 2026 first‑round swap have not been publicly detailed; exact conveyance conditions remain unreported.
- How Detroit will integrate Huerter and Šarić into the rotation (starter vs. bench roles) is not finalized and may depend on matchups and health.
- Any additional salary‑matching or minor pieces linked to the trade have not been disclosed in initial reports.
Bottom Line
The Pistons’ acquisition of Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić is a clear, targeted move to improve perimeter spacing and veteran depth as Detroit chases a deep postseason run. Despite Huerter’s down year from 3‑point range, his career shooting profile and fit alongside established shooters could materially alter the Pistons’ offensive spacing and playoff matchup dynamics.
Minnesota prioritized salary relief and flexibility over immediate on‑court return, while Chicago accepted a mix of veteran leadership and young upside in Conley and Ivey. Expect coaches and front offices to use the remainder of the regular season to adjust rotations; the full impact of the trade will crystallize only once lineups, minutes and playoff seeding are settled.
Sources
- NBA.com — League report/transaction summary (official league coverage)
- Shams Charania on Twitter (ESPN lead NBA reporter; initial deal reporting)
- The Associated Press (news agency; contributed information used in coverage)