I’ve written multiple times this season about how the Pistons have needed to add a secondary ballhandler next to Cade Cunningham, and just before the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, they did so. Detroit has acquired 12-year veteran guard Dennis Schröder from the Utah Jazz, a league source confirmed Thursday.

Schröder, 31, has averaged 14.4 points on 35.8 percent from 3-point range, 5.5 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game for both the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors this season. He immediately falls in line behind Cunningham as the Pistons’ secondary ballhandler and facilitator. J.B. Bickerstaff now has the ability to stagger their minutes and at all times have a floor general to run offense and score for himself.

Considering Schröder’s experience with players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Jayson Tatum, he can potentially provide valuable veteran leadership for the group as a whole, but specifically for Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.

What makes this move even more strategic from Detroit general manager Trajan Langdon, is Schröder is in his final season of a two-year, $25,430,250 contract. This means he will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and allow the Pistons the flexibility evaluate whether they want to bring him back on another, longer-term deal. Detroit announced Thursday that Ivey is progressing in his recovery, has moved into a walking boot and another update on will be provided in another four weeks.

If, in fact, Ivey is out for the season, Schröder provides insurance at the guard position and undoubtedly takes pressure off of Cunningham. Health will obviously play a factor but this addition of Schröder firmly solidifies the Pistons in the hunt for an Eastern conference postseason spot if they can stay healthy.