The Detroit Pistons engineered much of last season's historic turnaround without guard Jaden Ivey.

As their young core prepares to keep climbing -- beginning with Wednesday's opener against the host Chicago Bulls -- the Pistons will be minus Ivey for a bit longer.

Ivey encountered a setback after he recovered from a broken left fibula injury that ended his season on Jan. 1. He'll miss about three more weeks following a recent right knee surgery, creating an opportunity to cultivate the team's scoring and ballhandling depth beyond third-team All-NBA pick Cade Cunningham.

Options include third-year wing Ausar Thompson, who took an increased role after Ivey's injury last season, and veteran addition Caris LeVert.

"We have the guys that can fill those spots," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff

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