Jaden Ivey Opens Up On How Injuries Have Effected Him As An NBA Player

Back in 2022, the Detroit Pistons selected Jaden Ivey with the No. 5 overall pick in hopes that he could create a long-term pairing with superstar Cade Cunningham, who they picked No. 1 overall the year before. Unfortunately, he has struggled to stay healthy in his NBA career thus far, appearing in a total of just 67 games over the past two seasons.

With the Pistons taking off without him, he suddenly became expendable, and at the trade deadline, he was officially dealt, being acquired by the Chicago Bulls, who see him as a potential long-term piece. However, he's now opened up on how injuries have effected him, stating that moving forward, he's not going to be the same player he once was as injuries have worn his potential down.

“I’m not the same player I used to be…I’m not the J.I. I used to be. The old J.I. is dead.”

Before the injuries in 2024/25, Ivey was averaging a career high 18 points a night, but across two teams this season, he's putting up just 9 points, and due to the injuries, he's playing just 18 minutes of action a night, so his statement may just be right.

Ultimately, this is still a player that can be a solid contributor in a specific role in the NBA, and while he may never be the star some believed he could be in the league, that doesn't mean he can't help a team in a big way moving forward.